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Single Idea 1835

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / a. Nature of pleasure ]

Full Idea

When we say that pleasure is the chief good, we do not mean debauchery, but freedom of the body from pain, and of the soul from confusion…. which requires sober contemplation.

Gist of Idea

True pleasure is not debauchery, but freedom from physical and mental pain

Source

Epicurus (Letter to Menoeceus [c.291 BCE], 131), quoted by Diogenes Laertius - Lives of Eminent Philosophers 10.27

Book Ref

Diogenes Laertius: 'Diogenes Laertius', ed/tr. Yonge,C.D. [Henry G. Bohn 1853], p.471

A Reaction

I'm not clear how lack of pain and confusion counts as pleasure. Also the concepts of debauchery held by the puritan and the sybarite are wildly different.

The 16 ideas from 'Letter to Menoeceus'

14052 Begin philosophy when you are young, and keep going when you are old [Epicurus]
14053 It is absurd to fear the pain of death when you are not even facing it [Epicurus]
14054 Fearing death is absurd, because we are not present when it occurs [Epicurus]
14055 The wisdom that produces a good life also produces a good death [Epicurus]
1833 Pleasure is the first good in life [Epicurus]
14056 We only need pleasure when we have the pain of desire [Epicurus]
14057 All pleasures are good, but it is not always right to choose them [Epicurus]
1835 True pleasure is not debauchery, but freedom from physical and mental pain [Epicurus]
14058 Pleasure is the goal, but as lack of pain and calm mind, not as depraved or greedy pleasure [Epicurus]
14059 The best life is not sensuality, but rational choice and healthy opinion [Epicurus]
14060 Prudence is the greatest good, and more valuable than philosophy, because it produces virtue [Epicurus]
1836 Prudence is more valuable than philosophy, because it avoids confusions of the soul [Epicurus]
14061 Our own choices are autonomous, and the basis for praise and blame [Epicurus]
1837 We should not refer things to irresponsible necessity, but either to fortune or to our own will [Epicurus]
14062 Sooner follow mythology, than accept the 'fate' of natural philosophers [Epicurus]
14063 Sooner a good decision going wrong, than a bad one turning out for the good [Epicurus]