Search engine for discovering works of Art, research articles, and books related to Art and Culture
Javascript must be enabled to continue!
Epicurus on Living Blessedly
View through CrossRef
Abstract
This chapter develops an interpretation of Epicurus’s hedonism in which the human goal (telos) is identified with the state of living blessedly (to makariôs zên) rather than with happiness (eudaimonia). This goal is attained through the satisfaction of desires directed at natural and necessary goods, whose priority for blessedness is not established by any direct experience of pleasure (as interpretations of Epicurean theory have sometimes proposed), but by rational reflection on what is naturally beneficial for human beings. On this account, living blessedly wholly consists in what Epicurus characterizes as katastematic pleasures, while kinetic pleasures are mere phenomenal variations of these, of no consequence to blessedness itself. Epicurus’s hedonism thus has a more objective character than has sometimes been supposed, requiring rational reflection on human nature and the limits of desire-satisfaction, and differing markedly, in this respect, from the later hedonism of Bentham and Mill.
Title: Epicurus on Living Blessedly
Description:
Abstract
This chapter develops an interpretation of Epicurus’s hedonism in which the human goal (telos) is identified with the state of living blessedly (to makariôs zên) rather than with happiness (eudaimonia).
This goal is attained through the satisfaction of desires directed at natural and necessary goods, whose priority for blessedness is not established by any direct experience of pleasure (as interpretations of Epicurean theory have sometimes proposed), but by rational reflection on what is naturally beneficial for human beings.
On this account, living blessedly wholly consists in what Epicurus characterizes as katastematic pleasures, while kinetic pleasures are mere phenomenal variations of these, of no consequence to blessedness itself.
Epicurus’s hedonism thus has a more objective character than has sometimes been supposed, requiring rational reflection on human nature and the limits of desire-satisfaction, and differing markedly, in this respect, from the later hedonism of Bentham and Mill.
Related Results
Epicurus - An Introduction to his Practical Ethics and Politics
Epicurus - An Introduction to his Practical Ethics and Politics
This new introduction into Epicurus’ practical ethics and politics provides an overview of Epicurus’ attitudes towards political, religious and cultural traditions. Emphasising his...
The Social Contract in Epicureanism
The Social Contract in Epicureanism
Abstract
Epicurus held that justice came into being when individuals made compacts with one another to secure the benefit that comes from not harming one another. He...
Introduction
Introduction
Abstract
The Introduction presents the working hypothesis of the study: Epicurus’ epitomai and maxims not only indicate a way of understanding and living but also...
Cicero on Epicurean Pleasures
Cicero on Epicurean Pleasures
Abstract
Cicero’s version and critique of Epicurus’ ethics in the De Finibus offer in some respects the fullest consecutive account extant from antiquity. Their p...
Epicurean Epistemology
Epicurean Epistemology
This chapter presents Epicurus’s theory of knowledge as a response to the epistemological pessimism of Democritus. The first section discusses the three ‘criteria of truth’—sense-i...
“Motivated Signs”: Some Reflections on Phonosemantics and Submorpheme Theory in the Context of Democritus’ and Epicurus’ Traditions
“Motivated Signs”: Some Reflections on Phonosemantics and Submorpheme Theory in the Context of Democritus’ and Epicurus’ Traditions
The article attempts to trace how the difference in approaches to the question of language origin in the Democritus’ and Epicurus’ traditions is reflected in modern linguistics. Acco...
Moral Responsibility and Moral Development in Epicurus’ Philosophy
Moral Responsibility and Moral Development in Epicurus’ Philosophy
This chapter shows that Epicurus had a notion of moral responsibility based on the agents’ causal responsibility—as opposed to their ability to act or choose otherwise. Thus, the c...