11.4 Epicurean ethics and the concept of ataraxia
3 min read•july 22, 2024
champions , a state of tranquility achieved by removing fear and moderating desires. This philosophy emphasizes contentment with simple pleasures and avoiding unnecessary wants, viewing ataraxia as the ultimate goal for a good life.
Epicurean ethics values friendship but advises limited political involvement to maintain peace of mind. It differs from Stoicism and Aristotelian virtue ethics in its approach to happiness, focusing on pursuing pleasure and avoiding pain rather than living in harmony with nature or cultivating virtues.
The Concept of Ataraxia in Epicurean Ethics
Concept of ataraxia in Epicureanism
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- Ataraxia represents a state of tranquility, peace of mind, and freedom from disturbance and anxiety
- Serves as the ultimate goal of Epicurean ethics and the highest form of happiness attainable
- Achieving ataraxia is considered the key to living a good life according to Epicurean philosophy
- Attained through the removal of fear and the moderation of desires
- Involves being content with simple pleasures (companionship, basic needs) and avoiding unnecessary desires (wealth, fame) or fears (death, divine retribution)
Path to ataraxia
- Removing fear is crucial, particularly the fear of death and the fear of the gods
- Death is not to be feared because when we exist, death is not present, and when death is present, we do not exist
- The gods are not concerned with human affairs and do not interfere in our lives, so fear of divine retribution is unnecessary
- Moderating desires is essential to achieving ataraxia
- Epicureans categorize desires into natural and necessary (food, shelter, safety), natural but unnecessary (luxurious food, accommodations), and vain and empty (fame, power)
- Natural and necessary desires should be fulfilled, while natural but unnecessary desires should be moderated
- Vain and empty desires should be eliminated altogether
- Focusing on simple pleasures and limiting desires minimizes anxiety and promotes contentment, leading to ataraxia
Epicurean Ethics and Its Relationship to Other Aspects of Life
Ethics and social engagement
- Friendship is highly valued in Epicurean philosophy
- Considered essential for achieving happiness and security
- Friendships should be based on mutual benefit and shared values (trust, support)
- Limited involvement in politics and public affairs is generally advocated
- Engaging in politics can lead to stress, anxiety, and a disturbance of ataraxia
- Some involvement may be necessary to ensure personal security and the ability to live an undisturbed life
- Social engagement is approached with moderation
- Epicureans value social connections and communal living (Epicurean communities)
- Maintaining personal autonomy and avoiding excessive social obligations (burdensome relationships, societal expectations) that could lead to anxiety or stress is important
Epicurean vs other ethical systems
- Epicureanism and Stoicism share some similarities but also have notable differences
- Both emphasize living in accordance with reason and limiting desires
- Stoics focus more on living in harmony with nature and accepting fate, while Epicureans prioritize the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain
- Aristotelian virtue ethics differs from Epicureanism in its approach to happiness and the good life
- Aristotle argues that happiness is achieved through cultivating virtues (courage, justice, temperance)
- Epicureans believe happiness is attained through pursuing pleasure and avoiding pain
- Aristotle's conception of the mean involves balancing excess and deficiency in relation to specific virtues, while Epicurean moderation focuses on limiting desires to achieve ataraxia
Key Terms to Review (17)
Absence of pain: The absence of pain refers to a state of being free from physical suffering and distress, which is central to Epicurean philosophy. This concept is foundational to achieving ataraxia, a state of tranquility and peace of mind. By understanding this absence as a crucial component of happiness, Epicurus emphasized the importance of minimizing physical and mental discomfort in the pursuit of a fulfilling life.
Aponia: Aponia is a term from Epicurean philosophy that refers to the absence of physical pain or discomfort. It is closely linked to the idea of achieving a pleasurable life, where one seeks to minimize suffering and attain a state of tranquility. Aponia serves as a foundational concept in Epicurean ethics, relating to the pursuit of ataraxia, or peace of mind, while also being tied to the understanding of atomic theory and the nature of the physical world.
Ataraxia: Ataraxia refers to a state of serene calmness and emotional tranquility, free from distress and anxiety. This concept is central to several philosophical schools, emphasizing the pursuit of inner peace as a key aspect of the good life, particularly in the context of Hellenistic thought where the emphasis shifted toward personal well-being and contentment.
Epicureanism: Epicureanism is a philosophical system founded by Epicurus that emphasizes the pursuit of happiness through the cultivation of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. This philosophy advocates for a life of moderation, intellectual reflection, and the attainment of ataraxia, or tranquility, as the ultimate state of well-being.
Epicurus: Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher who founded the school of philosophy known as Epicureanism, which emphasized the pursuit of happiness through the cultivation of friendship, the enjoyment of simple pleasures, and the avoidance of pain. His ideas played a crucial role in the rise of Hellenistic schools of thought, particularly through his contributions to atomic theory and ethics, where he introduced concepts like ataraxia, a state of serene calmness.
Garden of Epicurus: The Garden of Epicurus was a school of philosophy founded by Epicurus in Athens around 307 BCE, emphasizing a way of life centered on achieving happiness through the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. This philosophical community promoted the idea that true happiness is found in simple pleasures, friendship, and a serene mind, aligning closely with the concepts of ataraxia and living a virtuous life.
Hedonism: Hedonism is a philosophical doctrine that asserts that pleasure and happiness are the highest goods and the primary aim of human life. This idea is rooted in ancient Greek thought, where it emphasizes the pursuit of pleasure as a guiding principle for ethical behavior and the attainment of eudaimonia, or true happiness. Hedonism has influenced various philosophical systems, especially Epicureanism, which provides a nuanced understanding of pleasure and its relationship to a fulfilled life.
Hellenistic Period: The Hellenistic Period refers to the era from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE to the emergence of the Roman Empire around 31 BCE, characterized by the spread of Greek culture and influence across a vast territory that included parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. This time was marked by a blending of Greek philosophical thought with local traditions, leading to significant developments in ethics, epistemology, and social thought.
Katastematic pleasure: Katastematic pleasure refers to a stable and lasting state of pleasure that arises from the absence of pain and disturbance, contrasting with more fleeting pleasures that come from external sources. This type of pleasure is significant in discussions about well-being and happiness, as it emphasizes the importance of tranquility and internal balance over transient or intense experiences.
Letter to Menoceus: The Letter to Menoceus is a philosophical text written by Epicurus, outlining his views on ethics and the pursuit of happiness. In this letter, Epicurus emphasizes the importance of seeking pleasure and avoiding pain while introducing the idea of ataraxia, a state of tranquility that leads to true happiness. This work serves as a foundational text for Epicureanism, connecting ethical principles with the goal of achieving a serene life.
Metrodorus: Metrodorus was an ancient Greek philosopher and a prominent follower of Epicurus, known for his contributions to the development of Epicureanism. He played a crucial role in expanding Epicurus's ideas, particularly on ethics and the nature of pleasure, aligning closely with the foundational principles of the philosophy that seeks to attain happiness through the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain.
Philia: Philia is a Greek term that refers to a form of love or friendship characterized by deep affection, loyalty, and shared values. This type of love plays a significant role in forming bonds between individuals and is essential in the context of ethical living, as it emphasizes the importance of relationships in achieving a tranquil and fulfilling life. In various philosophical schools, including Epicureanism, philia is seen as vital for achieving ataraxia, the state of serene calmness and freedom from disturbance.
Platonic Perspective: The Platonic perspective refers to the philosophical viewpoint derived from the teachings of Plato, emphasizing the existence of abstract forms or ideals that represent the true essence of reality. This perspective prioritizes the pursuit of knowledge, truth, and virtue as central to human existence, contrasting with more materialistic views that focus solely on sensory experiences and physical pleasures.
Pleasure as the highest good: Pleasure as the highest good refers to the ethical principle that the ultimate goal of human life is to achieve pleasure and avoid pain, a central tenet of Epicurean philosophy. This idea suggests that true happiness is found in experiencing moderate pleasures while minimizing suffering, promoting a life that balances enjoyment with serenity. Epicurus, the founder of this philosophy, argued that understanding and pursuing pleasure leads to a fulfilling life free from disturbances.
Principal Doctrines: Principal doctrines are a collection of key teachings and principles that form the foundation of Epicurean philosophy, laid out by Epicurus himself. These doctrines emphasize the importance of seeking pleasure and avoiding pain, while also addressing the nature of the universe and human existence. They guide followers towards achieving a serene and happy life through understanding natural phenomena and cultivating friendships.
Social bonds: Social bonds refer to the connections and relationships that individuals form with one another within a community or society. These bonds play a crucial role in shaping ethical behavior, influencing happiness, and fostering a sense of belonging, which are vital elements in the pursuit of ataraxia, or tranquility, in life.
Stoic Critique: Stoic critique refers to the examination and assessment of philosophical ideas, particularly those of Epicureanism, through the lens of Stoic philosophy. This critique challenges the Epicurean focus on pleasure as the highest good, emphasizing instead the Stoic belief in virtue and living in accordance with nature as the path to true happiness. Stoics argued that ataraxia, or tranquility, achieved through virtue, is superior to the transient pleasures sought by Epicureans.