I'm not exactly sure I quite understand what the two philosophies mean, but this is what I think they mean. Epicureans way of living is to think about long-term happiness, and how their actions in the present will better contribute to their future happiness. Stoics believe in happiness in the present and the short-term pleasure. They believe that if you do things that make you happy at that moment, then you will always be happy. Stoics try to make the most of the day, and not bother doing anything that makes them unhappy.
I think that both ideas are really interesting. I don't think I can choose one I like more though. I like the Epicurean philosophy because I think you should do things that you may not like now, so that you can succeed in the future. For example going through school so that you can get a good job, and getting a good job so you can live comfortably and happily.
I like the Stoic philosophy because I have always wanted to live in the moment and I always admired people that did. If it wasn't the cultural norm to go to high school, then college, then work, I don't think I would. I would do things that make me happy on a day-to-day basis. I would live my life to the fullest and not do anything that I don't want to do. Why wouldn't I be happy in the future if everyday I did something that made me happy? The answer to that is I would be happy. I would forever be happy because I would only do what I want.
I don't think this is a great way to run society but I think it would be so fun to try it out.
Both philosophies are really interesting, but I don't know if I can choose one I like better.
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You write: "I think that both ideas are really interesting. I don't think I can choose one I like more though." Isn't it true, however, that you do choose everyday? As long as you're living your life, you're living it in some way. The important question is, is your choice deliberate and thoughtful or is it random and haphazard? That's why it's important to weigh your options here.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to confuse Stoicism with short term happiness. Stoics do not concern themselves with happiness.
A Stoic will always do his / her homework. Not doing so would suggest what happens in life is random and meaningless, not rational and for a good reason. Stoics firmly believe that whatever life throws at them is meant to be, so they accept it--period. If a Stoic's teacher assigns 200 pages of Pre-Cal work, he'd do his best to finish it. Whether it gets done or not, however, isn't too important. It's more about the attitude toward doing the work.
Stoics can and do have long term goals. However, they don't allow their happiness to be tied to the achievement of those goals. In fact, they don't hold a lot of stock in happiness at all--happiness comes and goes all of the time, and it always will. This is the critical difference. They take each day as it comes. Now, which philosophy makes more sense to you?