Epicurus * philosophy * ancient Greece * moderation * simple life * friendship
During my most recent visit to the Vatican Museums, where I’ve been several times before, I found myself more focused on photographing the artifacts than taking in the overall experience. I took many pictures of sculptures, including several busts. Even with Google Lens, I haven’t been able to identify all of them. However, a few of the figures portrayed sparked my curiosity. One of them is Epicurus, a philosopher from ancient Greece.
Epicurus (341–270 BCE) was an influential ancient Greek philosopher who founded the school of thought known as Epicureanism. His philosophy revolves around the pursuit of happiness and tranquility, achieved through understanding the nature of the world, cultivating friendships, and minimizing unnecessary desires.
Pleasure was the highest good for Epicurus, but not in the hedonistic sense of indulging in all forms of gratification. Epicurus made a distinction between different types of pleasure. He emphasized katastematic (static) pleasures, which are longer-lasting and result from a state of contentment and the absence of pain, over kinetic (active) pleasures, which are fleeting and often lead to dissatisfaction once fulfilled. For Epicurus, the pursuit of intellectual and emotional pleasures – such as friendship, knowledge, and philosophical contemplation – was more valuable and sustainable than mere physical pleasures.
The root of human suffering lies in fear – particularly the fear of gods and the fear of death, which are based on misunderstandings about the nature of the world and should be dispelled through rational inquiry. According to Epicurus, the gods, if they exist, are indifferent to human affairs and do not interfere in the world. Therefore, fear of divine punishment is irrational. Similarly, he posited that death is merely the cessation of sensation, so it should not be feared. “Death is nothing to us”, because when we are alive, death is not present, and when death occurs, we are no longer there to experience it. Epicurus sought to free individuals from superstitions and the anxiety caused by beliefs in fate or divine retribution.
Epicurues promoted a life of moderation, where desires are carefully chosen and controlled to avoid pain and achieve a state of tranquility. He distinguished between natural and necessary desires (such as the need for food and shelter), natural but non-necessary desires (such as the desire for luxury), and vain and empty desires (such as the pursuit of wealth, fame, or power). He argued that happiness is achieved by fulfilling only the natural and necessary desires, as they are easy to satisfy and do not lead to further pain or anxiety. He also believed in the importance of simple living. He encouraged his followers to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, such as friendship, conversation, and the contemplation of nature, as these are the most reliable sources of lasting happiness. He argued that genuine friendship is based on mutual respect, trust, and shared values, not on utility or gain. Friends help one another navigate life’s difficulties, provide emotional support, and enhance the pleasures of life through shared experiences.
