For Epicurus, the purpose of philosophy was to attain the happy, tranquil life, characterized by aponia, the absence of pain and fear, and by living a self-sufficient life surrounded by friends. He taught that pleasure and pain are the measures of what is good and bad, that death is the end of the body and the soul and should therefore not be feared, that the gods do not reward or punish humans, that the universe is infinite and eternal, and that events in the world are ultimately based on the motions and interactions of atoms moving in empty space. Part 2 (9:51 min)
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on Nov 6th, 2009 at 5:50 am
It’s not hard to understand this piece of philosophy and yet so many people miss it and chase after that illusive happiness disguised in consumerism and other material wealth.
I like Alain de Botton, there is a nice gentle way about him…
on Nov 6th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Yes, isn’t so? Maybe the elements of happiness is not hard to understand but slightly harder to attain and consumerism is a so much easier substitute. An analyzed life for instance is not everyone’s cup of tea. I new pair of shoes is a quick fix… and then one is hooked. Plus marketing seems to be so powerful especially with all the media today and most of us are too weak to resist.
on Nov 9th, 2009 at 3:47 am
it is easy when the things that bring true happiness remain elusive to turn to self medicating through shopping, etc…hehe, if I take too much time to analyze my life, I would get even more anxious…
ut, i do agree with his idea of having lots of friends around…i seem to have lost that over the years and spend more time on my own, when not at work…I found this clip esp interesting as my grandfather was born in Samos…i would like to visit there one day…
on Nov 9th, 2009 at 8:34 am
It’s a very good point you bring up. I also rather spend a lot of time alone doing my own thing. I thought about this as they were talking about Epicurus’ idea of friends. We are living in a very different time and we have virtual threads going on all the time that it kind of replaces the idea that we need to have friends with us all the time.