I do think Epicureanism is a much stronger philosophy than simple Hedonism. It is about deep and lasting pleasure, which often involves similar recommendations to the Buddhists and Stoics in terms of giving up unhealthy desires. Seneca uses a lot of Epicurean techniques as well!
That said, I do think basing your life on the attainment of any sort of pleasure is less successful. Epicureans were against participating in politics, generally, for example. Furthermore, we could die at any day.
I somewhat agree with Bill Irvine that perhaps different philosophies appeal to different people and there may not be any one “true” philosophy of life for everyone, but I would prefer a philosophy that holds that people can lead a meaningful life in nearly any circumstance because the important point is to be virtuous.
Stoicism is the umbrella that can hold the philosophical schools in harmony. By cultivating the virtues of courage, love, patience, temperance and wisdom as the most beneficial strategy to pursue the happiness entailed in living a good life.
This is pleasure itself ie; being absorbed with ataraxia allows us to engage with the Epicureans, the Cynics, the Aristotelians, the Platonic’s and the Skeptic’s by including them in our choice to live Philosophy As A Way Of Life.
This can extend to the Buddhist’s and the Taoist’s and the Neoplatonism of Plotinus.
I think it boils down to finding out what we truly, actually have control over and exploring that since most of philosophy stems from this understanding of the boundaries of what it is that we have full control of ie; not much — except what we give to the moment in front of us. That is our blood, sweat and tears plus our reverence, devotion and big heartedness that we have in our control at any given moment.
I see in the background of Judaism, Christianity and Islam Stoic principles as part of the fundamental tenets to navigating the vicissitudes that life brings us.
I do think Epicureanism is a much stronger philosophy than simple Hedonism. It is about deep and lasting pleasure, which often involves similar recommendations to the Buddhists and Stoics in terms of giving up unhealthy desires. Seneca uses a lot of Epicurean techniques as well!
That said, I do think basing your life on the attainment of any sort of pleasure is less successful. Epicureans were against participating in politics, generally, for example. Furthermore, we could die at any day.
I somewhat agree with Bill Irvine that perhaps different philosophies appeal to different people and there may not be any one “true” philosophy of life for everyone, but I would prefer a philosophy that holds that people can lead a meaningful life in nearly any circumstance because the important point is to be virtuous.
"Prosperity is not without fears and distastes, and adversity is not without hopes and comforts " Bacon
How popular is epicureanism today especially in comparison to Stoicism?
Not very.
"Nobody can live the good life without living sensibly, nobly, and just " Epicurus
It is interesting how much Seneca quotes Epicurus in his letters
"Do not add to Pythocle's wealth, but subtract from his desires " Seneca " Letters"
Stoicism is the umbrella that can hold the philosophical schools in harmony. By cultivating the virtues of courage, love, patience, temperance and wisdom as the most beneficial strategy to pursue the happiness entailed in living a good life.
This is pleasure itself ie; being absorbed with ataraxia allows us to engage with the Epicureans, the Cynics, the Aristotelians, the Platonic’s and the Skeptic’s by including them in our choice to live Philosophy As A Way Of Life.
This can extend to the Buddhist’s and the Taoist’s and the Neoplatonism of Plotinus.
I think it boils down to finding out what we truly, actually have control over and exploring that since most of philosophy stems from this understanding of the boundaries of what it is that we have full control of ie; not much — except what we give to the moment in front of us. That is our blood, sweat and tears plus our reverence, devotion and big heartedness that we have in our control at any given moment.
I see in the background of Judaism, Christianity and Islam Stoic principles as part of the fundamental tenets to navigating the vicissitudes that life brings us.