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Friday, July 8, 2016

Epicurus

Introduction
Epicurus was a Greek philosopher that studied happiness.  He discovered happiness comes from friendships, meaningful employment, and philosophizing.  There were Epicurean communities from Spain to Palestine. Sociologists discovered similar causes of happiness millennia later.    Karl Marx studied Epicurus in college. He thought communism would lead to happiness.
History
Epicurus lived from 341-270 BCE.  He lived in Athens with his family.  Athenian people looked down on his family because they were foreigners.  Greece at this time became an empire.  It was ruled by one of Alexander's generals.  He went to various schools and learned philosophy.  He was persecuted for teaching his philosophy at a gymnasium.  He went to Western Turkey (Ionia) and created his on philosophy school. He had several disciples in Ionia.  When Athens was ruled by a different government Epicurus came back.  He founded a school there.  He allowed women and slaves to attend his school.  He wrote more books than any other Greek philosopher.  Epicureanism became popular in the Hellenistic world and Rome.
Breakdown of Epicurus philosophy
Epicurus believed in atoms.  Spending time with friends often will lead to greater amount of happiness. When you do a job that is meaningful to the community you will be happy.  Intellectualizing leads to the great amount of happiness.  He discovered pleasure is the absence of physical pain negative emotions.  People should do what pleasurable to them, but don't overindulge.  He didn't believe in destiny.  He believed truth can be discovered 3 ways; sense, emotion, and intuition.  He told people not to harm each other.  
Epicurean Communities
There were at least 4,000 people living in these communities.  I see them as ancient hippies.  These communities were taken over by Christians and became monasteries 500 years later.  The Christians copied some of their ideas.    

Sociological Happiness
Having positive interpersonal relationships leads to the greatest amount of happiness.  Epicurus promoted friendships, but romantic relationships.  Money as little effect on happiness.  Epicurus knew happiness can't be bought.  When you help someone your brain emits chemicals that make you feel better.  Epicurus promoted the idea people should do something meaningful in society.
Epicurus influence on Karl Marx
Karl Marx wanted to create a political and economic system that was beneficial to all.  His study of Epicurus helped him come up with Communism.  He thought if everyone has the same socioeconomic status and shared everything they would be happy.  This is what people did Epicurean communities.

Conclusion
Epicurus maybe one of the greatest Greek philosophers.  He had a big impact on people around the world. He just wanted people to be happy.  More people should study happiness.    
References
http://www.epicurus.net/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg_47J6sy3A
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Epicurus
https://www.le.ac.uk/sociology/db158/SCompass%201pt5.pdf 
https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1841/dr-theses/index.htm

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