The often ridiculed philosopher Epicurus believed that our sensory knowledge was the basis for all human knowledge. The fact that atoms existed in his view was strengthened by visual observation over and above abstract reason. His famous example of holding a stick in water during the day so sunlight reflected off the atoms in the water bending the stick was the basis of atomic existence because when one pulled the stick out of the water the stick became straight again. He believed reason and the mind alone could not sufficiently convey the actual existence of atoms, only through observed physical and repeatable examples could we understand the structures of reality. Despite this Epicurus argued for many things outside observation and visual certainty one controversial theory being the idea of a mortal soul destined to die due to its atomic material structure. In contrast to Plato's winged immortal soul that returned to heaven and earth in an endless cycle Epicurus conception of the soul meant that it was fundamental prone to decay, death and ultimately destruction. Just as the human body decomposes overtime same goes for the soul breaking down and becoming a null entity the atoms of the soul dissipating maybe due to a lack of consciousness acting like a glue.
Similar to the modern theorist and psychoanalyst Freud the ancient philosopher Epicurus argued the way we orientate our lives around our own inescapable deaths is detrimental to our happiness. 'The Freudian death drive' identified much earlier in Greece is thought to propels us towards action in life to hide our sub-conscious knowledge that we will soon be all dead and are living on borrowed time. Epicurus perceived that 'the fear of death stimulates the desire to accumulate wealth" hence our inability to confront our own inevitable end generates the excessive need, drive and desire for superfluous material objects to take our minds off the dreaded unknown; death. Moving towards religion Epicurus theory stated that the idea of God was an oxymoron. He firmly doubted and dis-believed the existence of gods on the basis that 'if they really were invulnerable and completely happy, why create a world? And have interest in mortal lives'. I stand in agreement with this view because it really doesn't make sense for a perfect being to create an imperfect world/beings to entertain themselves. The only reason a 'God" would ensue an act of creation would be due to a lack of completeness in their existence and individual entity denying them the status of a god. The notion of divine boredom seems like a poignant imperfection.
A serious problem with Epicurean thought is a commitment to a fixed, structural determined reality were a person or agent can nevertheless self-determine ones life and actions in certain instances. Epicurus insists that the "atomic swerve' a known phenomena at the particle level were atoms can change from a determined route to another path means all things in reality including human beings can break free from a certain interactions and conditions avoiding situations that determine the outcome of our own lives. Through the questionable 'quick save' power to allow us the ability to make autonomous decisions in an unfree world we can improve the quality of our lives. Although things are written in stone from Epicurus view about our lives we can still choose the tablet on which we write the particular life narrative we choose for ourselves. Despite this perplexing conception of freedom responsibility in relation to our actions, just like the swerving of the atom becomes ambiguous, for it becomes increasingly difficult to say whether someone is truly accountable for their actions, for instance did someone exercise their own free will in a situation top change an outcome or did they go with the pre-determined flow of their life events due to the determined nature of the world we find ourselves living in.
Through the ages Hedonism has become synonymous with the figure Epicurus and his thinking and thoughts in philosophy be it in a vastly mis-understood way. To set the record straight the ancient philosopher actually postulated against popular opinion that one can not 'buy a life of pleasure that outweighs pain'. Epicurus argued the sensual senses were unable and deficient in aiding the hedonists pursuit of pleasure correctly. Although he held that the 'infallible good' was indeed pleasure that was known by the senses he did not promote a crude modern caricature of the idealised lifestyle summed up by money, sex and power, the reverse was his true for the philosopher as he outlined the desires mentioned of a base human appetite were riddled with fears, pain and worry due to the problematic and frequent loss of them for no reason and the painful arduous hard work undertaken to gain them let alone maintain them. From his oppositional view to excessive material wants and desires Epicurus stated that when one truly becomes free of the spinning cycle that is "the wheel of desire" the truly pleasurable life devoid of anxiety is achieved. In order to maximise happiness a hedonist has to find pleasure in the simple things of life like; leisure, food, conversation, shelter and warmth in truth the basic necessities of life. Epicurus subtle form of moderate pleasure seeking and the utter avoidance of pain places a strong emphasis on the calming nuances that help make the human condition a fun and easy experience.
At the beating heart of Epicurus hedonism is friendship standing proud above all other objects and human relations in the world. The reason for this position of esteem afforded to friendship is due to the redeeming qualities associated with friendship, being: justice, mutual benefit, aid in tough times as well as emotional/physical security. While the dominating traits of greed and power may seem enjoyable for a time, especially if held in abundance the inevitable wane of greed turns to debt and power transforms into open rebellion generating painful repercussions for the followers of such vices. In a similar way friendship flourishes in the good times, celebrations and joyous occasions of life yet it also thrives in hardship. After sometimes undergoing a rigorous test in a bad situation were we tend to discover our true friends, friendship either breaks and is all but lost or triumphantly passes the test becoming far stronger and above question helping safe guard a dear friend from the possible experiences of cruelty, antagonism, sorrow and plain meanness from others.
It is because of this 'steadfast' quality of Friendship that it takes up such a staunch opposition to injustice dealt by corrupt and violent institutions and individuals in society. Whereas other philosopher might have tried to sway a person into thinking society is built on 'divine inspiration and social hierarchy mitigated by human nature' Epicurus is vastly more cynical maintaining that human society is structured predominantly by 'human anxiety' manifesting in corruption and greed in a sad bid to avoid death. The poisonous shadow of death is why friendship proves to be 'the most pleasurable' pursuit in life, namely because the collective human needs of others granted privilege through the vast friendships in the world will in time erode away our enemies position of power who monopolise human wealth for their selfish ends extending human unhappiness. One might indeed tend to think of Julius Caesar a gifted man who amassed great and power fortune but who alas died at the hands of many murderers, if he had possibly privileged friendship over money a bit more he may have been able to survive and live a longer more fulfilling life, a true friend in most instances would have made him more aware of the plot against his life and urged precaution. The creation and functioning of the state in Epicurus view is an offshoot of friendship. It's sadly often diverted true aim is to help citizens forsake pleasure for pain. By acting justly the hedonist and state function in a relation of friendship improving the life and existence of both entities 'The pursuit of pleasure demands the cultivation of moral virtues' and if understood properly 'the one great incentive to face danger and brave troubles is friendship from the epicurean perspective'.
To conclude there are many criticisms levelled toward Epicurean philosophy one of the most harming being that his philosophy is essentially a shallow simplified account made for popular consumption because even the stupid can grasp the core principles of the theory namely; avoid pain and anxiety, veer away from excess, friendship is at the core of a happy life and the role of the state to promote pleasure. While below the surface the Epicurean ideas after analysis by intellectuals find contradictions that expose the difficulties that "has, a useful result: it shows us why principles that initially seem simple and attractive are neither simple nor attractive after all". From my view despite the structural problems of atom swerving self-determinism I would argue that the shallowness argument of Epicurean theory does not destroy the validity of his Epicurean philosophy. Certainly If ones primary aim is to trip up a theory based on speculative atomic claims before the invention of modern technology one can reduce the claims of Epicurus significantly. However, what I would argue in Epicurus philosophy that is impervious to damage are the simple unquestionable truths about the virtue of helping others and undertaking a temperate modest outlook on life to produce a pleasurable experience of the human life. Epicurus metaphysics maybe be off to a degree but surely his moral compass and good attitude is facing north.
Sources: Classical Thought - Terrence Irwin (All Quotes) This whole article is indebted to this reading significantly as I offered my own view on ideas raised by Mr Irwin in his summary of the thinker and plucked out the thoughts that most interest me like a book review.
A Short video on the man himself :)
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