Epicurus's philosophy shows us what we need to be happy, while Seneca's philosophy shows us on the opposite view of the same problem, which is what makes us frustrated—not happy. Seneca observed that when people are angry it was because something had occurred which they expected would not occur. For example a person worked every hard in his job and was expecting to be paid well. But he end up not getting pay at all. Of corse he will be angry. However, if he knew he is not going to be paid at the beginning, he won't be angry when he is not get paid. This kind of thinking applies to our everyday life. Therefore I believe in order to not frustrate at all the things, don't expect to much, and have a open mind at everything.
To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, nor even to found a school…it is to solve some of the problems of life, not only theoretically, but practically. – Henry David Thoreau
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Epicurus&Seneca
"We have money without friends, freedom, and analyzed life, we will never be truly be happy." Epicurus believe even someone is rich, without friends, freedom, and a purposeful life, she/he will not be truly happy. But this doesn't mean money can not bring people happiness. If you receive a ten thousand check in the mail, I'm sure everyone will be happy. However this kind of happiness is not permeant. Once the money is gone, you will never feel the same again. Money is materialistic thing, you can't live without it, you also don't need to much of it. Having too much money will sometime leads a person towards evil, due to increase of desire. On the other hand, have a friend to stand by your side; freedom to speck what you want to say; or even have a organized life is what we need to have a happy life. Most importantly, we also need to have a positive mind for everything. Because though out our life we will have to face many suffering, such as sickness, hunger, pain. If you have a positive mind to think everything will be okay the next second, your life will be much easier then people who consistently thinking about how difficult their life is.
Epicurus's philosophy shows us what we need to be happy, while Seneca's philosophy shows us on the opposite view of the same problem, which is what makes us frustrated—not happy. Seneca observed that when people are angry it was because something had occurred which they expected would not occur. For example a person worked every hard in his job and was expecting to be paid well. But he end up not getting pay at all. Of corse he will be angry. However, if he knew he is not going to be paid at the beginning, he won't be angry when he is not get paid. This kind of thinking applies to our everyday life. Therefore I believe in order to not frustrate at all the things, don't expect to much, and have a open mind at everything.
Epicurus's philosophy shows us what we need to be happy, while Seneca's philosophy shows us on the opposite view of the same problem, which is what makes us frustrated—not happy. Seneca observed that when people are angry it was because something had occurred which they expected would not occur. For example a person worked every hard in his job and was expecting to be paid well. But he end up not getting pay at all. Of corse he will be angry. However, if he knew he is not going to be paid at the beginning, he won't be angry when he is not get paid. This kind of thinking applies to our everyday life. Therefore I believe in order to not frustrate at all the things, don't expect to much, and have a open mind at everything.
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I agree with you, in the fact the Epicurus wants us to look at happiness. Seneca on the other hannd has his own view oh happiness. Do you agree with seneca and his perspective on viewing the world?
ReplyDeleteSometimes more positive mind will help a lot. I like the way how you compare Epicurus's philosophy and Seneca's. Do you think Epicurus's philosophy more helpful?
ReplyDeleteYou contrasted the philosophies nicely. It seems you feel they both have something important to say. Do you connect with one more than the other?
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