Greek Philosophy of Epicureanism! #BlogchatterAtoZ

This post is a part of A-Z Challenge for bloggers, that takes place every year in the month of April. Bloggers take part in this challenge for self-improvement and to overcome the “writer’s block”. Each one of us writes one article every day, starting from the alphabet ‘A’, right up to ‘Z’. My theme for this year’s challenge is – “Life Philosophies round the World”.

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Epicureanism is a Greek system of philosophy founded around 307 BC by Greek philosopher Epicurus. Epicurus’s teachings like many other, suggested that pleasure was the chief good in life. However, the aim should be to seek modest and sustainable pleasure in order to avoid the suffering incurred by overindulgence. Epicureanism emphasized on pleasures of the mind, rather than physical pleasures and unnecessary and artificially produced desires were to be suppressed.

The philosophy states that to experience peace one could seek knowledge of how the world works and limit one’s desires.

Epicurus believed the pleasure was to be obtained through things such as knowledge, friendship and community, living a virtuous and temperate life, finding moderation in all things and abstaining from bodily desires. Therefore, he strongly recommended against passionate love, and believed it best to avoid marriage altogether.

His teachings further stated that one needs to be freed from fear, anxiety and bodily pain in order to achieve tranquility, especially getting rid of the fear arising from death and of gods. Epicurus and his followers withdrew from politics because it could arise frustrations and ambitions of fame and power, which would contradict their ultimate goal of peace.

The philosophy also rejects immortality. Its followers believed in the soul to be mortal and material, just like the body. Epicurus even rejected any possibility of an afterlife.

I wouldn’t say I completely agree with the philosophy, although I feel pretty much aligned with the crux of it. Most of us aim for a peaceful and happy life, which involves fulfilling our desires. However, overindulgence in anything is never a good idea to stay on a mindful path either. But the main challenge is to participate in all spheres of life that interest us, yet be conscious of our actions and the path that we knowingly or unknowingly keep creating to reach our ultimate goal of happiness.

Do let me know how much you agree with the Epicureanism way of life?

You may read about other such mind and soul evoking philosophies here.

This post is part of #BlogchatterAtoZ challenge 2021.