Epicurus was a philosopher who was believed to be the one with all the answers to life. He encouraged the Ideal of Good Life, to live simple lives by seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. Epicurus views worries as unnecessary and unnatural desires. If these desires are avoided, he believes that all worries will be eliminated. Epicurus’ metaphysical theory was based on Democritus’s view of atoms. They were monists who believed all is matter, the soul is equivalent to the mind and comes apart at death. I feel that Epicurus’ extravagance leads to pain, not pleasure; and, therefore, should be avoided. According to Epicurus, the purpose of life is happiness; and by happiness he means not that state of well being and perfection, but pleasure itself. The Epicurean goal to happiness was ataraxia, freedom from inner disturbance. Epicurus acknowledges the issue of pain caused by owning many material possessions. He believes that even though these possessions may make us happy, the long-term pleasure will not exist. Having many great possessions cause people to be happy, but then they want more and more, which means they will never reach happiness. I feel this point is true to some extent. Although quality of life is a very important point made by Epicurus, quantity also plays a big role. Epicurus takes this to the extreme level of never giving ones self any luxury at all. Everyone who lives on the earth has their good and bad days, when it is a bad day, as human beings we deserve to splurge every once in a while. We work hard here as humans and deserve some kind of replenishment for it, weather it is material, physical, emotional, or whatever else it is that one wants. Epicurus believes pleasure is the standard of morality. This means that any act that may cause pain is completely an immoral act. I strongly disagree with this belief because it is selfish. If an old lady fell while crossing the street, it is only...
