Epicurus Peace and Moderation as

Epicurus Peace and moderation as the key to pleasure: Epicurus' life and philosophy The word Epicurean has become synonymous with hedonism. People who seek to indulge their senses are often called Epicureans. However, this is a misreading of Epicurus' actual teachings and philosophy of what constituted a good life. Epicurus advocated balance, not pursuing pleasure to the extreme, as he saw as no 'true' happiness in living in a way that taxed the body and the mind.

Epicurus' love of moderation may have its roots in the fact that he was born during a tremendously volatile period of Greek history, when Alexander the Great was making his conquest of the entire Greek peninsula, and later much of the world. Epicurus was a young man in the Athenian army upon Alexander's death. Epicurus likely studied both Plato and Aristotelian philosophy but he was most influenced by his studies of Democritean physics and science. Epicurus' central philosophy would not be out of place today.

His most receptive audience would not be partygoers, but physicists. Epicurus believed that all things were composed of small particles, called atoms. Atoms were the building-blocks of matter. Sometimes those particles collided and caused bodies to form, which sometimes resulted in human forms, as well as other types of matter. Neither body of matter was inherently morally better or worse than the other. There was no transcendent system of morality for all time, only what was right for the moment.

Epicurus' philosophy was materialist, and denied the existence of transcendent Platonic forms and life after death. The only remarkable, but not necessarily unique feature of human existence was the capacity of human beings to feel or experience pleasure. This is why: "Death is nothing to us; for that which has been dissolved into its elements experiences no sensations, and that which has no sensation is nothing to us." Death meant that the atoms that made up the human form had rearranged themselves into another type of matter.

Death meant end of a particular human form and sensation. With the end of that person came the end of that person's unique preferences and pleasures. It was better for human beings to experience pleasure with their senses while they were still alive, as the existence of individual human sensory capacities is finite.

Although this may sound like a negative and pessimistic doctrine, or a desperate 'live for today' kind of ethic, Epicurus also said that while human beings were alive, they could gain knowledge of the world by relying upon the senses and mindful observation and appreciate life in a pleasurable fashion.

It was through such mindful observation that he found the existence of atoms: "there must be basic and unchangeable building blocks of matter in order to explain the regularities in nature." Pleasure was synonymous with personal tranquility gained from observation and appreciation of the material world. In fact, Epicurus could be read as one of the first advocates of simple living.

He believed that "by limiting one's desires and by banishing the fear of the gods and of death" one could lead a peaceful and happy life that was free of fear. Epicurus' philosophy is a profound testimony of how science and rational observation can provide a moral guide for humanity.

For example, the fact that everything is made up of the same basic matter acts as a reminder that it is necessary to treat the environment with respect, as both human beings and the world are made up of the same basic atomic essence, and their material essence obeys the same properties. People might object that it is easy to use Epicurean philosophy to justify living for pleasure. But Epicurus actually obeyed a moderate diet and lifestyle.

Yes, technically one is morally free under Epicurean philosophy to seek pleasure by sitting in bed all day, drinking beer and eating doughnuts. But really, Epicurus would note, that goes completely against his philosophy of true happiness as tranquility and simplicity. What will make you truly happy? Going to class, learning about the world, and finding a fulfilling and intellectually stimulating career with job security, or living a life that will leave you mentally and physically ill? Since human life is finite, live it to its maximum potential.

Take care of your body, because of the pain it can cause you if you do not. Living to the fullest means experiencing the world with the senses in a balanced fashion. Have a sip of the best wine, not an entire six-pack; eat a bite of the best chocolate, not an entire box of pastries. Learn about different aspects of the world, don't watch television for hours. Work a little to keep the mind active, yet play a bit with one's friends and family to relax.

Do not go to extremes, and sample everything life has to offer. Epicurus also has advice for how to approach.