Modern Epicureanism: Your Ancestors' Guide to Living Well
Picture yourself scrolling through Instagram at 2 AM, planning your next vacation while still recovering from the last one, hunting for that dopamine hit of likes on your latest post. Sound familiar? We're all caught in this endless pursuit of the Next Big Thing - the bigger paycheck, the flashier car, the swankier pad. But does this relentless quest really bring us the satisfaction we crave?
In 306 BCE, in a garden in Athens, a philosopher named Epicurus dropped some truth bombs that still explode minds today. This isn't some dusty philosophy from a bygone era but a way of life that speaks to our inner hedonist - the one looking for genuine pleasure, the kind that actually sticks around. It's the wake-up call to break away from the mindless pursuit of empty highs.
The Ancient Art of Not Giving a F*ck
"By pleasure, we mean the absence of pain in the body and of trouble in the soul," Epicurus declared. But here's the twist: he wasn't talking about the kind of pleasure you get from downing shots or maxing out your credit card. Epicurus distinguished between two types of pleasure: "static" pleasure (the sweet relief of not being in pain or anxiety) and "kinetic" pleasure (the active enjoyment of good things). Think of it this way: static pleasure is the peace of having enough savings to sleep at night, while kinetic pleasure is the joy of learning to make killer pasta from scratch with your friends.
"If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires," our man Epicurus dropped this wisdom bomb, challenging us to check ourselves before we wreck ourselves with endless wanting. He broke down desires into three categories: the necessary (food, shelter, mental peace, basic healthcare), the natural (friendship, learning, creative expression), and the vain (that Supreme drop you're eyeing, the likes on your latest thirst trap, or the urge to flex harder than your ex on social).
Real Friends Don't Like Your Posts
French philosopher Michel Onfray, a prominent modern advocate of Epicureanism, brings this ancient wisdom into our chaotic present. He's all about a hedonism of simplicity and sustainability, where we turn life into our personal masterpiece. It's about crafting existence according to our own values, not the ones shoved down our throats by society or your Instagram feed.
"Every friendship in itself is to be desired; but the initial cause of friendship is from its advantages." - Epicurus
Let's talk about friendship - not your Facebook friends list or your LinkedIn connections, but real, ride-or-die relationships. "Every friendship in itself is to be desired," Epicurus wrote, but he wasn't talking about superficial networking. Epicurean friendship is about having people who'll help you move bodies (metaphorically speaking), who'll challenge your ideas, and who'll share both your triumphs and existential crises. In our world of quick DMs and ghosting, this hits different.
Even Thomas Jefferson was vibing with this philosophy. America's founding father didn't just write the Declaration of Independence; he lived his Epicurean values through his passion for gardening at Monticello, his pursuit of knowledge, and his dedication to life's simple pleasures. As he wrote, "I consider the genuine doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greece and Rome have left us."
Death, Anxiety, and Other Fun Stuff
This isn't a call to abandon your Saturday night shenanigans, but rather an invitation to find equal joy in the quieter moments - like a Sunday morning yoga class or a hike in the woods. It's about finding pleasure that doesn't need a hashtag to be real. And speaking of real talk, Epicurus had some thoughts about death and anxiety too. His take? Most of our fears are self-created BS, and death isn't worth stressing about because, well, when it's here, you won't be (dark, but oddly comforting).
Here's the real deal: Epicureanism isn't just about life - it's about living. It's about extracting the juice from every moment, every experience, every genuine connection. It's about finding pleasure that doesn't just flash and fade but glows, warms, and lingers. In a world that's constantly trying to sell you happiness in the form of the latest iPhone or another round of botox, maybe the real pleasure revolution is in wanting less and living more.
"Let us live while we are alive." - Epicurus
So what's it going to be? Are you going to keep chasing the next dopamine hit, or are you ready to join the Epicurean revolution? The garden gate is open, and trust me, the grass is actually greener on this side.
