Epicurus

Epicurus’ philosophy primarily drew me in because it contrasted so starkly with the previous philosophers we’ve learned about. Relieved that I was done having to pick my ill-equipped brain for Socratic arguments, I dove right into the reading about Epicurus. To my delight, his main ideas seemed to center on pleasure and happiness. This is a subject that I’m well-versed in. I’ve recently been very intrigued by happiness and the acquisition of it in one’s daily life - I’ve even checked out library books on the subject.

Epicurus taught that attaining happiness and pleasure was the main goal in this life. He believed that friends, freedom, and thought were the three most important things to strive for. He also greatly encouraged eating good food and enjoying the company of friends. The fact that a wise philosopher would preach ideas such as these greatly comforted me.

However, a lot of people misinterpret Epicurus and his beliefs. Many believed him to be a glutton and a nymphomaniac. While I see how the masses might have gotten this idea, I feel that, as a whole, humans are very quick to judge. People are generally predisposed to believing that all philosophers must lead a specific lifestyle: they must be humble and poor, struggling to make a living due to their principles, living a properly ascetic life. While this is certainly the case for many philosophers, it wasn’t for Epicurus. He didn’t deny himself the luxuries of life, but he knew that he could survive, and even thrive, without them. The key to everything is moderation. Epicurus would say that a smaller, good meal is better than a larger, worse meal. He was all about quality versus quantity, but a lot of people didn’t understand the nuances of his philosophy. 

For me, Epicurus revived the interest in learning more about happiness and pleasure-seeking. Inspiring me to enjoy life’s daily blessings, Epicurus has gained yet another admirer.