Epicurus promoted the philosophy of achieving tranquility and happiness through the pursuit of pleasure and the elimination of pain.
Epicurus emphasized the importance of friendship and simple living as key elements in the pursuit of a pleasant life.
Deep dives
Overview of Stoas in Ancient Greek Architecture
Stoas were common structures in ancient Greek architecture that served as gathering places for people. These structures had large columns holding up a massive roof, offering shelter and serving various purposes. They were used as marketplaces, art display areas, and event venues. One particular stoa in the second century AD was decorated with carvings of the philosophy of Epicurus, a rich man named Diogenes funded the construction of this wall to promote Epicurean teachings.
Introduction to the Hellenistic Age and the Shift in Philosophy
After the deaths of Plato and Aristotle, the Hellenistic Age began with major political changes. With the death of Alexander the Great, his empire became unstable, leading to constant conflict and chaos. During this time, philosophy started shifting from metaphysics and epistemology to ethics. The focus was on practical approaches to living a good life, similar to the philosophy of Socrates. Epicureanism was one of the Hellenistic philosophical schools that emerged, emphasizing the pursuit of tranquility and freedom from pain.
Epicurean Philosophy: Seeking Pleasure and Tranquility
Epicurus promoted the philosophy of achieving a state of tranquility and happiness by pursuing pleasure and eliminating pain. He distinguished between kinetic pleasure (active satisfaction of desires) and static pleasure (the absence of pain). He argued that static pleasure was the ultimate goal and could be achieved by satisfying basic natural desires. Epicurus challenged fears of death and the gods, advocating for a rational understanding of the world without supernatural beliefs. He believed that friendship was crucial in cultivating steady and long-lasting joys that counteract life's inevitable pain.
The Fourfold Remedy: Epicurean Medicine for the Soul
Epicurus provided a fourfold remedy to achieve a pleasant life and remove mental fears. He emphasized that gods do not cause fear, death is inconsequential as there is no sensation in death, good can easily be attained while evil can be endured, and pain can be endured with a focus on the absence of pain. Epicurus viewed philosophy as medicine for the soul, helping to remove afflictions and fears. He valued simple living, communal friendship, and the pursuit of mental tranquility as key elements in the pursuit of a pleasant life.
This week on the podcast, we shift our focus back to Western philosophy. On this episode, we learn about Epicureanism—one of four schools of thought that were prevalent during the Hellenistic Age, which will be our focus for the next few episodes. We find out why Diogenes liked Epicurus’ ideas so much that he permanently graffitied them onto the walls of an ancient greek community center. We also learn why Epicurus thought that the most satisfying part of eating a half gallon of ice cream was the moment after the last spoonful, and why a jacket from Nordstrom really isn’t that much better than a jacket from Target. All this and more on the latest episode of Philosophize This!
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