Epicurus Epicureanism is powerfully and refreshingly relevant, offering a straightforward way of dealing with the issues of life and death. The chapters in this book provide a changeable of contemporary opinions about Epicurus' teachings. Key to happiness: Don't fear god Don't fear death What is good is easy to get What is bad is easy to endure This doesn't mean Epicururs pleaded for overindulgence He made a hierarchy of desires Natural and necessary desires Natural and non-necessary desires Vain desires Natural and necessary desires Natural desires have a natural limit (food) 2 types of pleasure: Moving pleasure: the act of eating Static pleasure: the contentment being satisfied after a nice meal Static pleasure: the absence of needs or wants -> the best pleasure Epicurus was celibate and lived with followers. He was also more focused on friendship as opposed to romance. Natural and non-necessary desires Ex. Luxurious food Normal food will bring static pleasure in the same way luxurious food does Vain desires Power, fame, extreeme material wealth These are unnatural and based on opinion, what society makes us think we need There is no afterlife It is pointless to not enjoy this life to be able to enjoy the next Death is not bad for neither the living, nor the dead, and we shouldn’t fear it Remind ourselves of the shortness of life, do not postpone happiness
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