When you hear the name “Epicurus,” you might picture some ancient Greek guy lounging around with a wine goblet in one hand and a plate of exotic cheeses in the other, giving life advice between mouthfuls. Spoiler alert: he’s not that guy. Despite how modern interpretations twist his teachings, Epicurus wasn’t promoting a life of indulgence. In fact, he would have been horrified to see how his idea of “pleasure” has been hijacked by consumer culture.
So, before you run off to book an expensive retreat or binge on guilty pleasures, let’s dive into what this guy actually meant by “pleasure” and “happiness.”
Epicurus: Minimalist Guru of the 3rd Century BCE
Epicurus lived in the 3rd century BCE and his philosophy wasn’t about how to host the perfect dinner party or how to lounge in style. Instead, his claim to fame was his belief that happiness comes from pleasure, but—surprise!—he wasn’t talking about the kind of pleasure that leaves you overstuffed on the couch, regretting your life choices. He believed in a far more sustainable and less flashy kind of happiness: the absence of pain.
That’s right. Epicurus’s idea of pleasure wasn’t about piling on luxury but subtracting things that cause discomfort, stress, or suffering. The man lived on bread and water, and you know what? He was thrilled with it. Toss him a piece of cheese now and then, and he was basically living the dream. It’s the kind of simplicity that most of us, lost in our modern maze of gadgets, distractions, and Insta-envy, could seriously benefit from.
The Quiet Revolution: Pleasure as the Absence of Pain
Here’s where we’ve gone wrong: we’ve equated pleasure with indulgence. But Epicurus would look at your shopping cart full of things you don’t need and give you a solid side-eye. For him, real pleasure wasn’t found in things. It was the peaceful feeling you get when you’re not suffering—emotionally, mentally, or physically. When you’re not chasing after the next shiny object or worrying about whether your life measures up to Karen’s perfectly curated Instagram feed, that is when you’ve hit peak Epicurean happiness.
Now, here’s the kicker: Epicurus wasn’t against pleasure, but he wasn’t into indulgence either. Pleasure, in his view, was being in a calm, positive state of existence—free from unnecessary desires and unrealistic expectations. In fact, chasing endless pleasure is what leads to suffering, according to him.
So, how do we go about listening to Epicurus in this consumer-driven world where we’re bombarded by the “more is better” philosophy 24/7?
Eliminating Unnecessary Desires: The Epicurean Detox for Modern Life
In today’s world, we are constantly told to want more. More stuff, more success, more followers. But Epicurus would tell us to take a step back and ask, “Do you really need it?” To eliminate unnecessary desires, we first have to unlearn the idea that happiness lies in material possessions or social validation. It’s not about depriving ourselves but rather freeing ourselves from the constant cycle of wanting, acquiring, and then wanting again. And let’s face it: does that next Amazon order really bring long-term happiness, or is it just a quick hit of dopamine?
One way to start cutting back is to recognize that social media is basically the anti-Epicurus. It’s built to make us feel like we’re missing out or that our lives don’t measure up. If we want to align ourselves with Epicurus’s wisdom, we need to detox from that comparison game. Happiness isn’t scrolling through perfect snapshots of someone else’s highlight reel; it’s finding contentment in the present, with what we already have.
Reframing Pleasure: It’s Not Selfish, It’s Smart
So, what’s pleasure, really? We’ve been conditioned to think that seeking pleasure is selfish or indulgent. But according to Epicurus, pleasure is simply existing in a state of well-being, where you’re not constantly battling desires, fears, or discomforts. It’s the joy you feel when you’re at peace, even if that peace comes from something as simple as a quiet walk, a deep breath, or yes, a good piece of cheese (but maybe just one).
Epicurus wasn’t about immediate gratification; he was about sustainable happiness. To him, pleasure was long-term contentment, not a quick dopamine hit. So, no, you don’t need to feel guilty about seeking pleasure—it’s not indulgent, it’s necessary for a happy life. It’s about finding what truly nourishes your mind and body, without all the extra noise.
Epicurus, Eudaimonia, and How the Stoics and Buddhists Fit In
Epicurus’s philosophy on happiness ties closely with the idea of eudaimonia, a term Aristotle popularized, which means living a flourishing, meaningful life. While eudaimonia often focuses on virtue and purpose, Epicurus would argue that happiness doesn’t need to be so grandiose. It’s about keeping things simple—removing pain, and allowing room for peace.
Then there’s hedonia, the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain, which often gets lumped together with Epicureanism. But unlike today’s “hedonists” who chase fleeting highs, Epicurus was into pleasure in moderation—where lasting happiness comes from minimizing discomfort rather than seeking excess.
What about the Stoics, you ask? They believed in finding inner peace by accepting what you can’t control. Sounds familiar, right? Epicurus’s teachings on avoiding unnecessary pain align with Stoicism’s quest for tranquility, though the Stoics thought you could get there through discipline, not pleasure. And let’s not forget Buddhism, which also teaches that the cessation of desire leads to enlightenment—a concept that meshes well with Epicurus’s idea of eliminating unnecessary wants.
The Real Secret to Happiness
If you take one thing away from Epicurus, let it be this: happiness isn’t about excess. It’s about subtraction. Subtract unnecessary desires, subtract the pain of constant comparison, subtract the endless pursuit of more. What’s left is something that many of us are still searching for: a simple, content life.
So, instead of chasing the next shiny object or life milestone, maybe it’s time to pause and ask yourself, “What do I really need to be happy?”
Epicurus would argue that you already have it—it’s just a matter of noticing it.