epicurus 341-270 bc. was a philosopher of classical Greece,, (born in samos of Athenian parents) his school met in his garden in athens, small in his life but his influence was lasting. along with the stoics and skepics it lasted well into roman times.
though some people say it is a form of hedonism, this is definitely not to do it justice.
the reason why I want to get it clear is that I was thinking about john stuart mill the other day.. he is know as an English utilitarian. actually he was just an emotionally twisted boy who was parroting his teacher Jeremy bentham who himself was a crank regurgitating the ideas of others (including epicurius.)
the concept of utilitarianism was delt with long ago by epicurus, and delt with far more subtly than mill or other ‘utilitarians’ since.
when ‘Christianity’ became the state religion of rome (--as if the teachings of Christ could be a state religion. ::snort:: ), epicurius was basically banned and reviled. establishment ignoramuses equated him with hedonism. anyone who’s views lack a conventional spiritual morality was targeted. ( it was the dark ages…in some places they haven’t finished)
according to epicurus…
individual pleasure is the sole or chief good in life. it should be taken in moderation. and the greatest pleasures are those of the mind. one must also be careful about ones pleasure as some are not legal and prosecution is something definitely to be avoided. ( disclaimer: do not try this at home. lol. fu.)
knowledge is to be sought to rid oneself of superstition and fears. otherwise learning is to be discouraged as making inroads into time that could be spent having pleasure I guess.. heheh.
he rejects mysticism and is really very down to earth about what he likes. (which I imagine comes from his islander background and must have been a breath of fresh air in athina.)
other than the possibility of gaining happiness from it, virtue has no particular value. ( I guess virtue in the sense of αρετή )
Epicurus was an atomist and epistemologist. his outlook is not superficial. his utilitarianism is but one facet of a way of life embracing what planetary being has to offer.
he contrasts sharply with platonic ideas and directions. no wonder the Christian neo-platonists hated him.. hehehe.
it’s the creed of a cultivated minority as Bertrand Russel points out. it could survive in the refined atmosphere of an elite Athens or rome perhaps. (not sure about new york). virgil the great latin poet was an epicurian.
in the dark ages people turned to mystery religions.(Christianity ) or neo Platonism or stoicism.. equating anything remotely engaging pleasure as sin eminating directly from hell.. . a warped position to be sure.
epicure in common parlance these days is a yuppie who only buys designer gourmet which is exactly the kind of cheapening/debasing one should expect in modernity.
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