Ataraxia

Definition

Ataraxia is a state of serene calmness and freedom from disturbance or worry, often sought after in ancient Greek philosophy as the ideal state of being. It is a key concept in the philosophical traditions of Epicureanism and Stoicism, which emphasize the pursuit of inner tranquility and freedom from emotional turmoil.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ataraxia was a central goal in the Epicurean philosophy, which emphasized the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain as the path to a fulfilling and happy life.
2. The Stoics viewed ataraxia as the result of living in accordance with reason and virtue, and the ability to maintain a calm and detached perspective in the face of life's challenges.
3. Achieving ataraxia was seen as a way to free oneself from the tyranny of external circumstances and the power of emotions, allowing for a more serene and self-directed existence.
4. The concept of ataraxia is closely linked to the Stoic idea of apatheia, which emphasizes the importance of emotional detachment and the ability to maintain a rational and impartial perspective.
5. Ataraxia was also viewed as a prerequisite for eudaimonia, or human flourishing, as it allowed individuals to focus on the cultivation of virtue and the pursuit of a life well-lived.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of ataraxia is connected to the Epicurean philosophy of the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain.
  • In the Epicurean tradition, ataraxia was seen as the ultimate goal and the foundation for a life of true happiness and fulfillment. Epicureans believed that by cultivating a state of serene calmness and freedom from disturbance, individuals could better navigate the pleasures and pains of life, focusing on those that were truly essential and avoiding those that were unnecessary or harmful. Ataraxia was thus a key component of the Epicurean pursuit of a life of tranquility and contentment, where one could enjoy the simple pleasures of existence without being burdened by the anxieties and fears that often plague the human condition.
• Describe the Stoic perspective on ataraxia and its relationship to the concept of eudaimonia.
  • For the Stoics, ataraxia was closely tied to the pursuit of eudaimonia, or human flourishing. The Stoics believed that by cultivating a state of emotional detachment and rational equanimity, individuals could better align their lives with the natural order of the universe and the dictates of reason and virtue. Ataraxia, in this view, was not merely a state of tranquility, but a necessary precondition for the realization of eudaimonia – a life lived in accordance with wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance. By achieving ataraxia, the Stoics believed that individuals could free themselves from the tyranny of external circumstances and focus on the cultivation of their own character and the fulfillment of their moral obligations.
• Analyze the relationship between the Stoic concepts of ataraxia, apatheia, and autarkeia, and explain how they contribute to the Stoic understanding of well-being.
  • The Stoic concepts of ataraxia, apatheia, and autarkeia are closely interrelated and form the foundation of the Stoic understanding of well-being. Ataraxia, or the state of serene calmness and freedom from disturbance, is seen as the ultimate goal, the result of the cultivation of apatheia (emotional detachment) and autarkeia (self-sufficiency). Apatheia allows the individual to maintain a rational and impartial perspective, free from the sway of excessive or inappropriate emotions, while autarkeia ensures that one's sense of well-being is not dependent on external circumstances beyond one's control. Together, these three concepts work to liberate the individual from the tyranny of the passions and the vicissitudes of fortune, allowing them to focus on the cultivation of virtue and the realization of eudaimonia – a life well-lived in accordance with reason and the natural order of the universe.

Related terms

Eudaimonia:

The ancient Greek concept of eudaimonia, or human flourishing, which encompasses the pursuit of a life well-lived and the attainment of a state of overall well-being and happiness.

Apatheia: The Stoic concept of apatheia, which refers to the freedom from excessive or inappropriate emotions and the ability to maintain a calm and rational state of mind.

Autarkeia: The Stoic principle of autarkeia, which emphasizes self-sufficiency, independence, and the ability to be content with one's own resources and circumstances.