Meaning and Definition of Epicureanism

Definition of Epicureanism

There are various philosophical schools, one of them is the Epicureanism which reflects on the pursuit of happiness from the sensitive and intellectual pleasure.
A philosophical current that shows how pleasure is an important element in the quality of emotional life. One of the highly valued by this intellectual current intellectual pleasures is the pleasure that produces the conversation with friends that brings happiness to life.
A very important nuance is to understand that this current does not defend the unbridled pursuit of pleasure but the balance. This stream receives the name of its founder, Epicurus of Samos founded the school of philosophy garden.

Types of pleasures

A philosophical view that reflects on the human being in its physical and emotional as a being who is happiest with a tendency towards hedonism which is based on the sensitive and intellectual delight balanced. In addition, Epicurus also differs between different types of pleasure:
1 there are necessary pleasures. For example, the pleasure to enjoy a meal in the lunch food is essential to the well-being.
2 there are pleasures that are natural, however, are dispensable at certain times. For example, the conversation with a friend is a natural pleasure according to the social nature of the human being. However, human beings do without these conversations in many moments of his life.
3 there are pleasures that are not necessary and are not natural. For example, the pursuit of Fame and non-recognition from the social prestige.

The intellectual pleasure

Epicurus puts in relation the pleasures of the body and the pleasures the soul to reach the conclusion that the joys of the spirit have a greater permanence in time while bodily pleasures are distinguished by promptly producing noticeable satisfaction.
While the emotional pleasure for the pleasant conversation shared with a friend can leave a positive footprint in memory, on the other hand, the joy that produces eat to satiate the hunger does not last more than one day. Since the human being again before have appetite and need to take something to calm the hunger. I.e., the bodily pleasures are immediate but also last less time.