Epicurus And Epicurean Philosophy for Finding Happiness

Introduction

Epicurus is a well-known figure in the history of science as well as philosophy. He believed that we should only believe in empirical evidence and logic. He explained the scientific view of atomism. Epicurean philosophy also suggested that the only way to lead a good and pleasant life is one where we refrain ourselves from unnecessary desires and achieve an inner tranquillity (ataraxia) by being satisfied with simply available things, and by taking the pleasure in having a good conversation with friends rather than pursuing physical pleasures like food, drink, and mating.

Epicurean Philosophy for Finding Happiness:

Epicurus shared his thoughts on human pleasure, desires, lifestyle, and happiness.
Happiness
There are three factors Epicurus considered necessary to constitute happiness.
Factors for Happiness
1. Tranquillity
2. Ataraxia or Freedom from fear
3. Aponia or Absence of bodily pain
People experience happiness at the highest level by the combinations of these factors. Some people follow Epicurus’s beliefs and seek this level of happiness in their lives.
Anxiety about our future is one factor that Epicurus suggested has the power to destroy pleasure. Although anxiety about the future does more harm than fearing gods or death, the idea that we would be afraid of anything in our future was considered as an obstacle to our experience of tranquillity, happiness, and pleasure.

Pleasure and Pain

Epicurus identified two types of pleasure as moving and static. He also described two areas of pleasure and pain as physical and mental.
Moving pleasure refers to actively being in the path of completing a desire. An example of this is eating food whenever you feel hungry. We are taking action toward our intended goal of pleasure in those moments. 

Watch this video to understand the importance of Values:

Another type of pleasure, static pleasure, refers to the experience of satisfaction we have once our desire is met. For example, eating food when we are hungry, the static pleasure is what we are feeling once we have eaten. This satisfaction of feeling full, and no longer being in need of food, would be considered as a static pleasure.
Epicurean philosophy mentions that static pleasures should always be the preferred form of pleasure.
Physical pleasures and pains, he suggested, are related to the present. Mental pleasures and pains have been related to the past and future.

Desires

Epicurus stated three types of desires:
1. Necessary desires that are Natural: Examples of this include things like food and shelter. These desires are easier to satisfy and hardest or impossible to eliminate from our lives.
2. Unnecessary desires that are natural: This refers to desires like luxury goods and gourmet foods. These represent desires that are harder to satisfy and likely to end up causing us pain and unfulfillment as a result of unfulfilled desires. Epicurean philosophy suggested that it is better to minimize, or best to eliminate this type of desire to seek tranquillity.
3. Vain and empty desires: Examples of these include desires like power, status, wealth, or fame. These are difficult things to obtain or achieve and less likely to be accomplished. He suggests that, since there is no limit to these desires, they could never fully satisfy or bring pleasure to the inner self. Therefore, we should not be hell-bent on fulfilling these desires to help ourselves in achieving greater happiness and pleasure.

Friendship

Epicurus emphasized the importance of friendship in our lives. In fact, he advised that friendship is one of the greatest means of obtaining pleasure. He also advised that connection with friends offers a sense of safety to oneself, whereas lack of such connection can lead to despair, peril, and isolation.

Although the modern world we live in tends to emphasize the idea of individualistic living, where being self-contained and non-reliant on others is perceived as a strength, Epicurus believes that strength is found in good connection and friendship with others. Epicurean philosophy highly regarded courage as a strong virtue. Concerning friendship, he even advised that one should be courageous enough to lay down his life for the sake of his friends.

The Unhappiness Cure

Epicurus created what is known as the four-part cure for unhappiness. He coined the term "tetrapharmakos" which means a four-part cure or four-part remedy. The original meaning of this term is a medical antidote or healing concoction to be taken as a cure for illness. Followers of Epicurus suggest that the above-mentioned remedy is a strong formula that helps us in overcoming unpleasant feelings such as anger, fear, stress, anxiety, or despair.
4-Part Unhappiness Cure
• God is not to fear but to love
• Nothing is there to worry about death
• It is easy to obtain the good things in life
• It is easy to accept the terrible things
Epicurus does not mean that pain is completely avoidable. In his opinion, the pain can be endured well. We can be in emotional/physical pain and still strive to experience happiness.

Conclusion

We can lead a content and happy life if we understand the cause of unpleasant feelings and follow the 4-Part Unhappiness Cure devised by Epicurus. Epicurean philosophy suggested that instead of always thinking about the pain, we should recollect one of those moments in the past when we were most happy.