Do you think that looking at "the long run" is more an opinion of yours or a product of our society? The school example is used alot, and I think that is because we are often told at a young age that planning for the future is a good thing.
Although I agree with your opinion of Epicurean philosophy your use of words such as "secure" and "comfortable" make me consider the opposing viewpoint. Couldn't one say that Epicureans are not living life to the fullest but simply taking the safest route?
I don't think that Epicureans try to avoid things that give them immediate happiness but are more concentrated on a life filled with happiness throughout. Although they are more focused on long-term happiness I don't think they avoid all short term happiness.
I agree in that the Epicurean philosophy provides more security and seems like a wiser and safer choicebut i think it is nearly impossible to stick to one philosophy. Don't you ever find yourself blowing off homework to hang out with your friends or partake in something you enjoy doing other than homework that might not put you on exactly the right path for the long run?
You need to read the question a bit more carefully. The pursuit of short-term happiness is typically associated with Hedonism, not Stoicism. Stoics do not concern themselves with immediate, personal happiness--merely longevity. They don't see winning the lottery as any better than a lightning storm wrecking their home.
Unlike Epicureans, Stoics don't calculate how to get the most pain free (or happiest) future--they simply believe that everything happens for a reason and try to live with it. Don't confuse the idea of living in the moment ("carpe diem") with the idea of short term pleasure. Carpe diem is a simple way of saying "No matter what life throws at me, I'm not going to let it bring me down. I’m going to survive.”
You're right that Epicureans look at the long term, but only in a narrow way. They look at how to minimize pain in their life. That is their only long term goal.
What I wanted to know is if Stoics have a point when they say that Epicureans make a mistake in trying to live a life free from as much pain as possible. Ingrid's comment seems to be getting at this, too.
Do you think that looking at "the long run" is more an opinion of yours or a product of our society? The school example is used alot, and I think that is because we are often told at a young age that planning for the future is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree with your opinion of Epicurean philosophy your use of words such as "secure" and "comfortable" make me consider the opposing viewpoint. Couldn't one say that Epicureans are not living life to the fullest but simply taking the safest route?
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Epicureans try to avoid things that give them immediate happiness but are more concentrated on a life filled with happiness throughout. Although they are more focused on long-term happiness I don't think they avoid all short term happiness.
ReplyDeleteI agree in that the Epicurean philosophy provides more security and seems like a wiser and safer choicebut i think it is nearly impossible to stick to one philosophy. Don't you ever find yourself blowing off homework to hang out with your friends or partake in something you enjoy doing other than homework that might not put you on exactly the right path for the long run?
ReplyDeleteYou need to read the question a bit more carefully. The pursuit of short-term happiness is typically associated with Hedonism, not Stoicism. Stoics do not concern themselves with immediate, personal happiness--merely longevity. They don't see winning the lottery as any better than a lightning storm wrecking their home.
ReplyDeleteUnlike Epicureans, Stoics don't calculate how to get the most pain free (or happiest) future--they simply believe that everything happens for a reason and try to live with it. Don't confuse the idea of living in the moment ("carpe diem") with the idea of short term pleasure. Carpe diem is a simple way of saying "No matter what life throws at me, I'm not going to let it bring me down. I’m going to survive.”
You're right that Epicureans look at the long term, but only in a narrow way. They look at how to minimize pain in their life. That is their only long term goal.
What I wanted to know is if Stoics have a point when they say that Epicureans make a mistake in trying to live a life free from as much pain as possible. Ingrid's comment seems to be getting at this, too.