Epicurus seems to believe that the idea that ataraxia/ happiness can be achieved if one is able to lessen pain as much as possible, on the other hand, Epictetus believes that ataraxia/happiness can only be reached by having a strong mind and if one is indifferent to external events that are beyond one's control. Epictetus's ethical theory seems to be a little influenced by his belief in god and more about his stoicism, while Epicurus, though he does not deny the existence of God, his theory is less influenced by divinity. Epicurus’s theory maintains that people should try to minimize one’s own desires and pains. Also, for someone to reach the highest form of pleasure, it is important to have a positive attitude toward the future and death.…
Our lives are affected by our decisions. “Gregory” by Panos Ioannides and “Lather and Nothing Else” by Hernando Tellez both demonstrate dilemmas throughout the stories. It is observed that while decision making, every aspect and its outcome should be considered ad it is to be remembered that there are always options open and not every problem has an ultimatum.…
Aristotle’s beliefs on living a good life start with careful deliberation of the ends and the means. Suppose I want a laptop--the laptop is my goal, purpose, or end. I can do various things to get the laptop--such as earn, steal, borrow, or save. These things are known as my means. The means I decide to use depends on which is more convenient and which leads to the most benefits. Contemplating about the end goal that we are pursuing, and the means we use to reach that goal is practical thinking. However, this type of thinking does not come to fruition, until purposeful action occurs; which is acting with some purpose, goal, or end in mind. This purposeful action is compared differently with thoughtless action, which is an action with no purpose…
Choice, as mentioned, is virtuous whereas desire is not. This is a worthwhile distinction since desire is guided by the result of pleasure and pain because you have either received what you have desired, or did not, causing disappointment (Ethics, III, 1111b, 10). Either way, desire has an expiration date of enjoyment, since it only leads to wanting of more or desperation to gain more. Choice is different since you are not being guided by pleasant or pain, but by the virtuous decision of your actions. Aristotle concluded this point by stating “... choice is involved with reason and thinking things through” (Ethics, III, 1112a, 10). C.S. Lewis clarifies Aristotle’s point of reason and thinking, but takes it further by addressing the threat of these instincts being frequent actions resulting in dispassion and the illusion of a virtuous life. If man is to view life subjectivity, under the terms of other men, then your actions of will no longer be willing, but value-less (Lewis, 1944). The ideals of Aristotle’s Primary Virtues permits having success in your individual, familial, and societal life, all of which are aspects of leadership and…
Epicurus was a hedonist, a materialist and a consequentialist who strongly believed that in order to attain the good life one must live a pleasant existence free of worry and pain. Through reflection of the concepts in Epicurus’s Letter to Menoeceus this paper will discuss Epicurus’s argument of why ‘death means nothing to us’ (Epicurus 1998a, p.49). In other words, the concept that one should not fear death, which he held to be a state of fear bringing only pain to one’s life. In addition, the notion of applying these concepts for ethical purposes on how one should live their life will be explained. In conclusion, this paper will provide a compelling argument of the reasons why Epicurus’s ideas on being fearless of death did indeed contribute to the alleviation of pain and helped with the pursuit of happiness or ataraxia (peace of mind).…
Epicurus says that Pleasure is what we pursue and, what we come back to, but for him pleasure stems from lack of pain. He believed that a life on moderation brought the most pleasure that over indulgence was unhealthy and brought pain. The simple things in life bring the most pleasure. He believed that mental pain was worse the physical pain. He explained mental pain a disturbance of the mind. He urged prudence in our pursuit of pleasures, and that all other virtues spring from it.…
Pleasures and pain contribute in determining the classification of one’s actions. In Mill’s Utilitarianism, he examines what determines an action to be considered right or wrong, his own version of the hedonistic utilitarianism argument. He claims that these qualities, including the quantity, are an important factor in determining, when included in the consequences, the criteria of an action. The consequences are significant in determining the results of one’s actions.…
Aristotle’s views have today come to shape the way in which people view things and how they think. In this essay I will be discussing the difference between continence and temperance and their relation to moral virtue and how it is possessed. I will explain what Aristotle’s view on knowledge, and how it the key to human life. When Aristotle describes moral virtue he describes it as something that “comes as a result of habit”(Nicomanchean Ethics I, xiii 1103a17) to state that “non of the moral virtues are in us by nature”( Nicomanchean Ethics I, xiii 1103a18) by saying this Aristotle is implying that moral virtue is acquired by the repetition of doing good deeds and acting with good habit, and goes to show that it cannot be acquired by nature by using the argument of attempting to teach a rock to go against its nature and not sink. Although an interesting statement at how he believes moral virtue could be obtained is when he states that “neither by nature, then, nor contrary to nature do the virtues arise in us; rather we are adopted by nature to receive them and they are made perfect by habit” (Nicomanchean Ethics I, xiii.1103a23-25) it is in this that he states that it is in our nature to pick things up by habit making it in our ability to become morally virtuous in the understanding of pleasures and pain. With this understanding of moral virtue, it has made the understanding of what temperance and continence possible for they are a part of moral virtue.…
Let’s consider the chapters on Hedonism and the connection between our pursuit of happiness and the consequential behavior that is then elicited; as well as the natural law theory which persuades followers to behave naturally. In both cases these behaviors were motivated by our understanding of what’s moral and what’s immoral. It’s essential to make the distinction between the theories themselves and the resulting behavior that’s performed.. The discussion of our ethical considerations, however, goes “hand in hand” with our behaviors because without one, it’s impractical to consider the other. These ideas are…
Anthony Robbins once said “It’s in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” People make so many quick decisions unconsciously, whereas other decisions are lamented over. Society makes choices and creates opinions through deep mental thought which is influenced by preference, logic, feelings, and reflection. Some people may even question whether free will is a believable concept. Others believe it is all within our own power to make decisions that will lead to greater happiness. Little decisions lead to big consequences because when small and simple decisions are made, big decisions are to come, choices indicate character, and every decision made impacts other decisions.…
For many of use our consciences have always been a part of us since the day we first started to recognise ourselves. It would be easy for everyone to follow this ‘voice of reason’ in our head as the outcome if often a positive one. However there are cases in which it could be deemed in the best interest of the person to disobey the conscience as it could led to a very immoral action. It is in these cases that not always obeying the conscience would be seemed as the right action.…
Kant’s diagnoses the human condition as human’s frailty and impurity when distinguishing between one’s self interested inclinations and moral duty. Humans were “…finite beings with our individual needs…yet we [were] also rational beings, and for Kant that include[d]…the recognition of moral obligations” (Stevenson and Haberman p.155). The contrast and ever-apparent strain between these opposing sides of human nature fuel Kant’s diagnosis of human’s frailty. In Kant’s conception of human reason and action, he distinguished between categorical and hypothetical imperatives which displayed the human struggles regarding what decisions were morally right. Self interested desires, “…which involve[ed] only the selection of means to satisfy one’s own desire” (p.151) could be defined as a hypothetical imperative. However, categorical imperative claims “…that morality is fundamentally a function of [one’s] reason, not just [one’s] feelings” (p.151). Knowing what was morally right and doing what was morally right was the depravity of human nature, the choice of choosing one’s own happiness over their obligations to those who surround them. The desire for instant gratification from any action hinders human’s consideration of longer-term self-interest. The difficulty arises when the one must decide to postpone immediate satisfaction in the interest of future goals; a “…balance to strike between living for the moment and planning for the future….” (p.155) must be reached. Human’s struggles with moral decisions and personal gain exemplify their…
As human beings it is in our nature to be driven by self-interest. This is where the view of psychological egoism derives from. Even though it may seem like we are taking part in an unselfish act, in different ways it can also be considered selfish. It is because of this view that morality is needed in society in order for us to live in harmony with one another. In this essay I will discuss how it is possible to reconcile egoism with morality and why we should be moral due to our psychological egoism. These discussion points include; the social contract, importance of morals not governed and the prisoner’s dilemma theory. Throughout my argument I will refer to Thomas Hobbes’ idea of social contract theory explained in depth in James Rachels’ book The Elements of Moral Philosophy as it is an important concept in understanding the view of psychological egoism. Additionally, I will also discuss Peter Singer’s view point on acting morally from his book Practical Ethics.…
In Epictetus’ Enchiridion, Epictetus claims that people are upset not by the things themselves but by their judgements about the things. This is because people are not in control of what happens to them, but they are in control of their own response. Therefore, the only things in life worth worrying about are those that are within the individual’s control. Worrying about anything else is destined to end in disappointment or sorrow.…
(Fox)” This is why I choose to use Epicurus over Aristippus. Although, his teachings were fundamentally flawed, and not realistic for everyone they don’t leave much in the way of misinterpretation towards overindulgence. Fast forward to modern society, ran and marketed by the top psychologists. They have marketed hedonism as a swingers resort in Jamaica, or commercializing self-expression celebrations such as the Burning Man Festival, which has led to attracting people who are seeking pseudo hedonism and overindulgence. Psychologists know that a majority publicity is profitable. At its core hedonism has fundamentally sound in its virtues. It’s fundamentally important for good natured humans to seek out pleasurable experiences through expression. Is a good person who engages in something that they find pleasurable, yet society as whole may finds it undesirable; does this make the person…