Epicurean Philosophy: Anger and Pleasure Explained

Epicureanism, a non-Socratic school of philosophy, promotes a pleasurable life by rejecting divine anger and advocating prudence over anger's disruptive nature.

### Epicureanism: The Philosophy of Pleasure and Prudence
* 🏛 Epicureanism is a major non-Socratic school of philosophy in antiquity, tracing its origins back to the atomist philosopher Democritus and developed by **Epicurus**.
* 📜 Despite having an extensive philosophical perspective, only a few of Epicurus's writings have survived, such as **three letters, the Principal Doctrines, and the Vatican Sayings**.
* 🎉 Epicurus founded a philosophical community known as "the Garden," where he taught his doctrines and emphasized the pursuit of a state of **ataraxia (untroubledness)**.
* ⚛ Epicureans were materialists who believed that everything was composed of atoms and the void, and they posited that **gods existed but were uninterested in human affairs**.
* 🎇 The ultimate goal of an Epicurean life was to achieve a state of pleasure (**hedone**) that is **long-lasting and free from unnecessary pain**.
* 💀 Epicurus argued that death should not be feared, as it either does not concern the living or **does not concern the dead**.
* 🤔 Epicurus classified desires as **natural and necessary**, **natural but not necessary**, and **neither natural nor necessary**, and he advised limiting oneself to **natural and necessary desires**.
* 🍇 He distinguished between **kinetic (active) and static (removal of pain) pleasures**, and believed that **mental pleasures, such as friendship and anticipation**, were **superior to bodily pleasures**.

### Epicurean Philosophy on Anger and Its Treatment
* 😌 Epicurus believes that to live a life of pleasure, one must cultivate **prudence, which is practical wisdom that teaches how to judge rightly between pleasures**.
* 👥 While accountability in Epicureanism is primarily to oneself, **good friendships are valued as the greatest of pleasures** and can foster **accountability to others**.
* ⚖ Epicurus' concept of justice involves **not harming others or allowing oneself to be harmed**, as well as **following societal agreements to prevent harm**.
* ❌ Epicurus advises against engaging in **unnecessary desires**, such as most **sexual desires and fetishes**, as they lead to **trouble**.
* 🔥 Epicurus views anger as a natural human emotion, but distinguishes between **natural anger** (in response to intentional harm) and **empty anger** (groundless and often based on false beliefs).
* 🩺 Philo, an Epicurean philosopher, treats anger as a moral and mental illness, advocating a rational analysis of beliefs and techniques like "**setting before the eyes**" to evoke **repugnance towards anger**.
* 🏛 ️ Philo's work "On Anger" critiques anger through a diatribe and dialectical examination, positioning the Epicurean view as a **middle ground between valuing anger too highly and condemning it entirely**.
* 🧠 The virtues of wisdom and temperance in Epicureanism help to distinguish between **necessary and unnecessary desires**, with temperance playing a role in **reducing anger by not tying oneself to sources of disappointment**.

### Philodemus on Anger: Ancient Insights for Modern Life
* 👥 Philodemus criticizes anger being exhibited towards wives, children, and slaves, recognizing **power dynamics in ancient society**.
* 💔 He emphasizes the vulnerability of those in a one-down position and argues that as an Epicurean, one should **not take anger out on people vulnerable to them**.
* 📚 Philodemus believes that **anger can be a major impediment to education**.
* 🗣 He introduces the concept of "**parasia**" or freedom of speech, asserting that sometimes one must **candidly tell others that their behavior is unacceptable**.
* 👃 Philodemus distinguishes between **frankness** and **harshness** in criticism, advocating for **honesty with compassion**.
* 🧠 The wise person can get angry and punish others, but **without deriving pleasure from it**.
* 🧡 He suggests that the errors of others should be taken up with **sympathy**.
* 🧘 Philodemus's emphasis on **practice and the need to repeatedly do something** in order to change is a common theme across ancient philosophers.

Empty Pleasures and Unnecessary Pains: Epicureans on Anger | Understanding Anger Lecture 6

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Gregory B. Sadler

Understanding Anger: The Epicurean Perspective

The Epicurean school of philosophy, a major ancient school, had a unique non-Socratic perspective on anger and was opposed by many other schools.

Despite not having a lot of direct writings about anger, their systematic perspective sharpened their views on the emotion.

The sources of Epicurean philosophy are limited, with only a few pieces of Epicurus's work preserved, thanks to the efforts of various individuals throughout history.

Epicurus, an ancient philosopher, was not an Epicurean in the modern sense but rather an Eclectic philosopher.

He founded the Epicurean school in Athens, where he taught, wrote, and formed close friendships.

The philosophy of Epicurus focused on a refined type of pleasure and was often portrayed negatively, but his school became a close-knit and separate society, extending beyond just a philosophical institution.

The Influence and Beliefs of Epicureanism

Epicureanism had a widespread influence, spreading throughout the Mediterranean and influencing Roman circles, medicine, and poetry.

The philosophy was based on materialism, the gods' disinterest in human affairs, and hedonism as the pursuit of pleasure.

Epicureans focused on freeing people from fear and were forerunners of modern atheist movements.

The exact size of the Epicurean community in the garden is unknown, but it had a significant impact.

Epicureanism was a popular alternative for people seeking meaning in life in the ancient world, focusing on living a life of tranquility and freedom from fear.

The philosophy emphasized that death should not be a cause of anxiety, as it is the end of existence and therefore not something to be feared.

Epicurus also distinguished between different types of pleasure, prioritizing static pleasures as the removal of pain and trouble, and believed in living a life with minimal unnecessary pain and worry.

The Philosophy of Hedonism: Epicurus' View on Pleasure

Epicurus believes that mental pleasures are superior to physical pleasures due to their lasting effect.

He emphasizes the importance of restraining desires to natural and necessary ones to avoid being misled by empty opinions and advertising.

Epicurus also argues that a hedonistic life can only be lived pleasantly through prudence and justice, contrary to the stereotype of hedonism being solely self-centered.

Epicurean Philosophy: Prudence, Justice, and Pleasure

Epicurus believed that prudence, or practical wisdom, was essential for aligning desires with a fulfilling way of life.

He also emphasized the importance of justice in terms of not harming others and avoiding harm oneself, as part of a social contract.

The philosopher advocated for a simple life focused on minimal pleasures, while cautioning against the pursuit of excessive wealth and indulgence in unnecessary desires, such as sexual passions.

Epicurus believed that anger is not a trait of the gods and is distinctively an animalistic emotion, providing a sense of liberation from divine wrath.

He also argued that anger is incompatible with living pleasantly, prudently, and justly, as it leads to pain, irrational desires, and harm to others.

Additionally, Epicurus identified empty opinions and groundless desires as the root of unnecessary anger, emphasizing the importance of limiting these desires to find contentment.

The Impact of Epicurean Philosophy on Anger Management

Epicurean philosophy addresses the root causes of anger by challenging mistaken beliefs and desires for power and status.

The philosophy promotes focusing on past pleasures rather than past pains to cultivate a sense of forgetfulness towards the things that cause anger.

Practicing virtues like wisdom and temperance is emphasized to distinguish between necessary and unnecessary desires, ultimately leading to a calmer and more peaceful life.

Epicurus's Views on Anger and its Naturalness

Epicurus is portrayed as the liberator from fear and the conflict between fire and water, challenging traditional Greek beliefs.

He criticizes the idea of gods being responsible for natural phenomena, arguing that it creates superstitious notions and fear.

Epicurus also links anger to an excess of "fire" in the body, believing it can be partially controlled through education and culture.

Additionally, Philus, in his work "On Anger," presents a dialectical examination of anger, contrasting the views of the Aristotelians, the Stoics, and the Epicureans, while defining anger and distinguishing between natural and groundless anger.

Understanding Natural and Empty Anger in Epicurean Philosophy

Natural anger is felt in response to intentional harm or injury, while empty anger is a result of perceived injustice and focuses on revenge.

Epicurus makes a distinction between the two, stating that natural anger is unavoidable, but empty anger is a sign of a foolish or underdeveloped person.

He believes that empty anger is driven by mistaken beliefs and can lead to prolonged resentment.

Overall, Epicurus views anger as a product of false beliefs and warns against the destructive nature of empty anger.

Philodemus' Approach to Anger Management and Intervention

Philodemus offers a treatment for anger, viewing it as both a moral disease and a mental illness, using rational analysis and visualization techniques.

He emphasizes the importance of intervening when a person is angry to reshape their perceptions and habits, and criticizes the exhibition of anger towards vulnerable individuals.

Philodemus also advocates for frankness and assertiveness in interventions, rejecting harshness and emphasizing the need to address problematic behavior directly.

The Challenge of Balancing Frankness and Harshness

Some people struggle to distinguish between being frank and being harsh in their communication, leading to conflicts and hurt feelings.

This difficulty can also be observed in the way individuals handle criticism, with some reacting angrily even to constructive feedback.

The text also discusses the importance of providing honest feedback without being cruel, emphasizing the need for a balanced and compassionate approach to communication.

Managing Anger and Embracing the Past in Epicureanism

Epicurus compares anger to bitter medicine or surgery, emphasizing the importance of sympathy and compassion.

He believes that anger is natural but can easily go wrong, taking a middle position between the Aristotelians and the Stoics.

Epicurus focuses on living in the present rather than dwelling on the past, viewing the contemplation of history as potentially leading to trouble.

However, he acknowledges the desire to leave a legacy but struggles with the inconsistency of this idea in relation to death.

The Significance of Friendship in Epicurean Philosophy

Epicurus valued friendship as an immortal good and a source of mental pleasure.

He prioritized leaving a legacy and providing for the well-being of others, considering it a way to anticipate pleasure while still alive.

Despite the mortal nature of individuals, Epicurus believed that friendship itself was immortal, emphasizing its importance in his philosophy.

The Impact of Ancient Philosophy on Understanding Anger

Ancient philosophers like Thomas Aquinas provide valuable insights into anger and human behavior.

The science of the brain may offer some understanding of the physiological aspects of anger, but it falls short in explaining human freedom and the power of choice.

The controversy over free will exists, but ancient philosophical ideas, from Aristotle to Epicureans, emphasize the practice and repetition as a way to control and change anger.

Managing Anger and Power Dynamics: A Modern Perspective from Ancient Philosophy

Plutarch gives advice on managing anger from a Platonic perspective, focusing on personal control.

The ancient philosophers, while not addressing modern ethical issues, recognized power dynamics and the abuse of anger in society.

Their teachings on vulnerability and power differentials are still relevant today, as the issues of anger and injustice continue to persist.