The Philosopher of Pleasure | EPICURUS 

"The more simply we live, the more we enjoy luxury when we encounter it" ....a beautiful thought

Without exaggeration, you had a role in saving my life from chronic depression and self demise with this video and the one about the benefits of isolation. Thank you very much!

The fact that he lived in harmony with his ideas and that he practiced what he preached is admirable.

Epicurus completely changed my mentality. I remember when I wanted to wear designer clothes and drive an expensive car. Currently, I could care less what people think of me. I only care what I think of myself.

Epicureanism and Stoicism may be direct competitors, but I think you could implement elements from both philosophies into your life without much confliction.

The best chef is an empty stomach.

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

9:51 "Even thou Epicurus lived on water, breed, and olives most of the time; Occasionally, he deeply enjoyed a slice of cheese."

The secret of happiness is not in seeking more but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.

"More than expectation we need appreciation these days"

after this, I consider not to buy my next rolex watch

Keep up the videos dude! What you're doing is amazing.

An overlooked philosopher that doesn´t get much attention in our time. I wonder what he would have thought about social media.

We implement both Stoicism and Epicureanism into our lives. Stoicism saved my life and Epicureanism gave me the motivation to be happy.

Vincit qui patitur. He who endures, wins.

Greek philosophers are awesome. Epicurus formula: happiness=nature +food+shelter+ socialize- fear. Thank you for sharing

Only philosophy that is not convoluted and emphasises that the truth lies in simplicity. His views on death are quite interesting too, his quote "Death is nothing to us" is one of my favorites.

My pleasure is my wife my happiness my wife with my kids 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Philosophy of Pleasure: It Feels Good

He welcomed women and slaves to his lectures and to participate in his projects. He was remarkable for his embrace of people others ignored or abused.

I almost clicked out after 38 secs in this video, almost misunderstood "how could he say we only need to pursue pleasure and avoid pain? it's exact opposite to stoicism!", i'm glad i didn't leave in ignorance and got this beautiful understanding

Love this way more than the stoics this is actually forward moving positive and has goals respects individual desire and will rather than resignation to the universe

I'm the type of person that does understand that happiness is not about having the fanciest car or the prettiest clothes, but I'm also not the type of person that can go against the rest of society and create my own path. It's kind of hard to do that in this rigid society, and I also care a great deal about what others think of me. I've been deprived of safe and healthy relationships during my childhood and therefore making people like me is the most important thing to me, so I do my best to not seem "too weird". But people are so obsessed with short-term pleasures and superficial thing nowadays, that I feel highly incompatible with most people. They seem to think that thinking deeply and enjoying the simple things in life is kind of silly, but I think that it's the most important part of life.

"The pleasure depends upon your philosophy on life."

His works were destroyed not lost. His truth undermined Religions.

I've agreed with pretty much everything here except for "death doesnt affect the living". I agree that the living are not the one's who died, however a loss of a friend or those close to you still hurts, whether it be death or moving or a friendship breaking. The death does hurt the living, not because it is death, but because someone they cared for is gone. The reason why death is greater grieved than moving away or leaving is because there truly is no chance of seeing them again.

Make a video on Nietzsche

Reminds me of Daoism. It is interesting that the Greek philosophies and the Asian philosophies reached many of the same conclusions in regard to life. Excessive desire leads to suffering.

This has touch my soul. This has enlighten my vision.

Been binge watching these in quarantine. Learning so many valuable lessons. Thank you!! May Peace be Upon Everyone 🙏🏽❤️✨

The great thing and irony about Epicurus was that he did not believe in God but he lives a holy life. Thank you for the video!

How telling that your piece on my favourite philosopher is 11:11 long… the man was an Angel in waiting, whether he believed in the afterlife or not. Thank you

We are taught to seek hedonistic pleasure and totally lose the true self in that search. No amount of external validation can fill the void of unfulfilment, only introspection can. Only by knowing can pleasure be joyful.

I used to like Epicurus but I find that he is essential saying to avoid the highs and lows of life by living a balanced, measured existence. To me, the greatest pleasures available in this world are experienced after exertion, discomfort, even calamity. For example, try this exercise: Take off your shoes and socks. Okay, now what? Take off your shoes and socks after walking 20 miles. Contrary to what Epicurus is teaching, we should actually invite pain and seek out adversity for the simple reason that pleasure hides from us. We cannot directly seek it out. I will add that his philosophy assumes that people know what they desire. Nothing can be further from the truth. Former Garden Dweller

Literally half of the time when I'm just on my phone in idle I get a notification telling me of a new video you have uploaded. It is a sign from the Gods that I must stop sitting idly!

I find stoicism more practical in life than epicurism cause there are lots of troubles and pain in the world so where you can find pleasures in these moments, but as to stoic they suggest many helpful tools such as: indifference, memento Mori, virtues etc.

Be me in no nut November. See video titled "The philosophy of pleasure." See a bunch of hands in the thumbnail. Accurate.

This philosophy really resonates on me. I can totally relate to Epicurus' point of view, however I think a relevant amount of people don't agree with that. According to Epicurus, man only needs to fulfill his natural and necessary desires to be happy, such as food and shelter. Nonetheless, half of the world's population (or even more) live under the poverty line and does not have neither food security nor basic goods/services. How can we remain idle while so much people are suffering because they can't even get bread on their table each day? If wealthy people and middle class people gave up on vain desires, the world's population would be assured natural and necessary desires and we could as well live in harmony with nature. This would ensure everyone's dignity and set the foundation for a world community that raised its consciousness to the Universe.

I dont think he said most of these quotes ! especially about god speaking about god as monotheistic! Wait since when pagan greece had that concept of one god?! They never believed in one god you should have it to rise against it they never had it!!! I dont trust most of greek and romans sources

Beautiful video, touches inner core among us. Thank you for bringing this to us: all hail technology.

Pleasures r so vast and many peopl get lost in it thats why samll pleasures r a big deal✌

Take me to your Garden and show me your wisdom till all of my years are done dear Epicurus!

Another thought provoking video, very philosophical, very engaging, and has helped me in the dilemma that I have been having for a few weeks now. Once again, much thanks for sharing this, and creating it. Steve UK

Epicurism seems very close to Buddhist teachings in a way when it comes to non-attachment to the material possessions and simple pleasures of simply having little or being.

To me, clearly the best philosophy. Sadly, Christians hated Epicure, called him the great pig or swine. I assume, his atheist thoughts were absolutely abominable to them. Early Christians may be the reason for how little of Epicure s works survived. I personally try to live according to his principles. And I do think that they could guide our way in times of ecological disasters and climate change. If more people would live the Epicurean way, we would stand a better chance against those ecological challenges whilst still finding some joy in life.

Einzelgänger i just wanted to deeply thank you for making this video , see i'm having some craving troubles lately that diverted me from some necessary work that i have to do but now i guess that i'll need to tame those cravings with healthier food , anyway i just wanted to thank you for giving me a new perspective on pleasure ,anyways like your videos and wish you nothing but the best

Awesome video. I've always liked Epicureanism over Stoicism. Thanks for the video.

Your videos are enormously beneficial and helping more people than you know. All of your content is well researched, produced and narrated. I am sure I speak for many when I say Thank You! 😃

this is what True Philosophy is living a simple life with friends that are true to themselves making a garden and have philosophical convos, bonding,farming,cooking,eating together, playing musics, i imagine the ideal lifestyle, pleasure is the only good.

I've been an epicurean for the past three years without knowing it. I'm glad there are others out there happy to be content :) Thank you for this video

Einzelgänger, your videos are truely wonderful and inspiring! Thank you so much for all your efforts! At most I enjoy the pieces you made aboút Taoism - maybe because that's the philosophy I probably lean most toward ... / I am currently reading your book "Unoffendable" and I am moved and impressed by the very personal way you chose to make your points. So: Keep going & thanks again - you produce tremendously great stuff, which is a light within a great sad sea of nonsense, stupidity and bullshit, which is around us ... !

I thought epicurean are pleasure seeking individuals while Stoics are pleasures shunning individual, however today i found out the true meaning of epicureanism. I have been prositalised to an epicurean

Epicurean joy was not about pleasure, the highest Epicurean goald was ataraxia (serene long lasting happiness tied to joy--serotonin. This joy was seen as katastematic by Epicureans and the one to seek after (what Jefferson referred to in his "life, liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness"--saying it was tied to Epicurus and Virtues). Pleasures are tied to short term happiness which always have pains attached (dopamine--as dopamine reward is attached with opiods--yes, same as opium and heroin). These were seen as kinetic pleasures (sensual pleasures induced from the outside. What hormonal doctors connect with the amygdala--the emotional selfish center of the brain, which is also connected to memories (hippocampus--why memories can bring you anxiety, reliving the emotion felt before or even fear of future events). True happiness found when one moderates the dopamine (external reactions and bodily needs) and the internal mind--reaching eudaimonia (a good life). Read JS Mills, "On LIberty." It's all there...

Thank you, this was really insightful.

This is the shape of life every human needs, neither too much painful asceticism nor hedonic pursuit of luxuries, All and last we need is our contentment with basic necessities fulfilled. Nothing would avoid death, so why not start living today with peace instead of pursuing fantasy life tomorrow.

There is another life after this life. The reason is, because you are now alive, what will guarantee you to not have a life again ? if something guarantee you to not have another life, then you are impossible to have a life now

I am learning a lot from your channel. Thanks for these videos on Philosophical topics🙏

All wisdom is already given, already there, somewhere. We just have to know how to look for it

i love this video. i keep coming back to it every few months just to keep me in line with what really matters in life. thank you!:)

Even though I'm an old subscriber, I just want to say that I'm so lucky to have found your channel Einzelgänger! I've been in deep depression the past few years and wanting to end my life but maybe the universe sent me on this channel to not to, ever since I knew Stoicism and your video on Albert Camus' Life is Absurd, I suddenly became okay, i don't know how but maybe your voice kinda healed me too and I'm really thankful for that, thankful to have finally found my cure, Einzelgänger. ♥️

Im not be Able to explain how Thankful I am finding this channel. Thank you! From the bottom of my heart ❤️

2:03 : What is the name of that painting? It's lovely.

Epicureanism seems to share a lot of common ground with Absurdism.

I have been incredibly blessed to enjoy your content for years now, and I want to tell you thank you so much because it had a profound effect on my life. This particular video, however, is by far one of your best. I believe it can change peoples lives as it has touched mine very much I thank you so much and thank you for all the hard work you’ve done . Namaste!

As a person with personality based anhedonia and a somehow implanted believe by others that pleasure is bad and pointless, it was very useful for me to hear this. Instead of the philosophies that abolish pleasure

Einzelgänger please make a video called "How to keep in touch with your Euphoria for Stoics" or "How to not let your ego get carried away"

I would say it's woman that make you feel like a loser based on your pay cheque, not simply just 'society'.

Amazing video! It made me really think deeply about death. Thank you for an amazing video, man! You are always working hard on your videos and they are always of high quality. Keep it up 💪

But the question is How and who created the world the universe the galaxies the stars rivers oceans lakes seas lands forests animals molecules atoms cells brain blood tears feelings etc etc and list can go on and on So who is the creator of all this Of course G O D

I would consider myself a christian stoic so i obviously don't agree witb Epicurus' points on god, but I agree with about everything else

Absolutely Loved this & agree wholeheartedly. TY very much.

I love your channel ! It's always so informative. Thank you.

Epicureanism is simply the most perfect philosophy in the history of mankind and will continue to be through the centuries.

I wouldn't buy a Ferrari just because it is a so called status symbol but because I want to rap it out on the highways... and enjoy the driving experience...😂and as Jordan Maxwell says if we are spirits..how can you burn and torture a spirit in the afterlife hell...if there is one.

Stoic view of God and Death is better than Epicurus.

" I am neither a masochist nor a sadist. I have not come to religion to torture myself; just the opposite has been the case. In fact, I have never come to religion. I have simply been enjoying myself, and religion has happened just by the way. It has been a consequence. I have never practiced the way religious people practice, I have never been in that type of search. I have simply lived in deep acceptance of whatsoever is the case. I have accepted existence and myself, and I have never been in any mood to change myself. Suddenly, the more I accepted myself, the more I accepted existence, a deep silence descended upon me, a bliss. In that bliss, religion has happened to me. So I am not religious in the ordinary sense of the word. If you want to find a parallel, you will have to seek it somewhere other than in religion. I feel deep affinity with a man who was born two thousand years before in Greece. His name was Epicurus. Nobody thinks of him as religious. People think that he was the most atheistic man ever born, the most materialistic ever born; he was just the opposite of the religious man. But that is not my understanding. Epicurus was a naturally religious man. Remember the words ′naturally religious′; religion happened to him. That′s why people overlooked him, because he never went to seek. The proverb: eat, drink and be merry, comes from Epicurus. And this has become the attitude of the materialist. But Epicurus, in fact, lived one of the most austere of lives. He lived as simply as nobody has ever lived. Even a Mahavir or a Buddha were not so simple and austere as Epicurus - because their simplicity was cultivated; they had worked for it, it had been a practice. They had thought about it, and they had dropped all that was unnecessary. They had been disciplining themselves to be simple. And whenever there is discipline, there is complexity. There is a fight in the background, and the fight will always be there in the background. Mahavir was naked, nude; he had renounced all - but he had renounced. It was not natural. Epicurus lived in a small garden. The garden was known as Epicurus′ garden. He had no academy like Aristotle, or a school like Plato; he had a garden. It seems simple and beautiful. A garden seems more natural than an academy. He lived in the garden with a few friends. That seems to be the first commune. They were just living there, not doing anything in particular, working in the garden, having just enough to live. It is said that the king once came to visit... And he had been thinking that this man must be living in luxury because his motto was: Eat, drink and be merry. ′If this is the message,′ the King thought, ′I will see people living in luxury, in indulgence.′ But when he arrived he saw very simple people working in the garden, watering trees. The whole day they had been working. They had very few belongings, only enough to live. And by the evening, when they were there having dinner, there was not even any butter; just dry bread and a little milk - but they enjoyed it as if it were a feast. After the dinner, they danced. The day was over and they offered a thanksgiving to the existence. And the King wept - because he had always thought to condemn Epicurus in his mind. He asked, ′What do you mean by saying, "Eat, drink and be merry?"′ Epicurus said, ′You have seen. For twenty four hours we are happy here. And if you want to be happy, you have to be simple - because the more complex you are, the more unhappy you become. The more complex the life, the more misery it creates. We are simple not because we are seeking God, we are simple because to be simple is to be happy.′ And the King said, ′I would like to send some presents for you. What would you like for the garden and your community?′ And Epicurus was at a loss. He thought and thought and he said, ′We don′t think that anything else is needed. Don′t be offended; you are a great King, you can give everything - but we don′t need. If you insist, you can send a little salt and butter.′ He was an austere man. In this austerity, religion happens naturally. You don′t think about God, there is no need to; life is God. You don′t pray with folded hands towards the sky; it is foolish. Your whole life, from the morning until the evening, is a prayer. Prayer is an attitude: you live it, you don′t do it."

y would u fear god when its the energy of love religion does this to people by injecting FEAR

When you want nothing you have everything

I think he's able and willing but if he's God then he will be willing at his own time being an eternal being his time can be anytime even in a billion years time

0:50 there's many in Italy hidden in the Catholic catacombs.

Wonderful little talk that was mate.. Lifted me up.

This makes quite obvious why we are so sick today: we don't understand what makes us happy. We don't know who we are. We don't know what Nature is. Better said, WE KNOW but we are saturated by illusions. Maybe, all we need is a break to remember.

Love your videos helps me alot with my mental health ❤

I hate being drunk 🥴

That was a beautiful video. Great job laying out the different levels of pleasure.

Simplicity creates happiness

1:55 Too much pleasure is pain. In the long run it's like that

Thank you for making insightful videos!

Turns out apart from the desire for a romantic relationship, I naturally follow epicurean philosophy.

3:29 very Indonesian way of describing heavenly meal pleasure! Indomie rebus telur panas!😆

Words.... Pleasure and satisfaction in my view are the opposite of pain and frustration. As a human we will experience both. If a stone falls on your foot, you will feel.pain. Nothing wrong with this. Pleasure is dependent on outer condition, which can change. Happiness or joy is of the heart and comes from within. What Epicuris experienced with his simple life I would call happiness, not pleasure. Aaah, words....

Condolences man! Take your time we look forward to your return. All the best!

I'm afraid I disagree: Epicurus is contradicting himself: on the one hand he said there's no god, no after life, on the other, he said we should maximise pleasure (or at least stay away from the unnatural and vain types which don't satisfy). If there was no god, then why should there be a 'should' in ANYTHING - why should I stay away from what doesn't satisfy? surely I could if I wanted to, and I could do it stepping onto others, in order to get what I wanted, for there's no god or afterlife to hold you accountable to anything. Why not steal in order to satisfy? Even if we stayed on the first type of pleasure, if there's no god then why not rape to satisfy the basic sexual instincts? Some say the 'social contract' thing, but why do I NEED to follow the contract? because you worry about the consequences (mind you the judicial system we have is based on Judeo-Christian values), but why do you have to worry about social consequences, because we value the judging of others, but why should we ? who says? The groups says doesn't mean it's right (eg Nazi Germany). Whichever way you look at it, taking god out of the picture doesn't cut it and doesn't relate to REALITY for we don't live that way. We live as if rape did matter, as if racism was bad, because there's fundamental intrinsic value of humans as we are made in the image of God, even though many don't realise, we live that way. That's why I'm a theist and I don't agree with Epicurus.

Cheese is misery embodied. Dairy is evil.

thanks einzelganger! yes Epicurus is and will be one of the greatest masters.

I find no problem in agreeing with a great deal of his philosophy regardless of the athiestic aspects which are, after all, presumptions on his part. For instance, I agree that it is vitally important that we live in the present regardless if it is our only manifestation or not. My belief in an afterlife as central to my Catholic faith does not cause me to reject all the sensible and genuinely gratious tenets of Epicurus's philosophy. In fact, many teachings are quite similar: moderation, self-control, anti-materiasim, a relationship with the natural world, friendship. The ancient philosophers weren't about getting people to follow everything they said or wrote. They were more philanthropists who offered their ideas as options and sometimes much-needed medicine for their fellow human beings.

Are there any books you can recommend reading about him and his belief system? I just did an only philosophy personality test and I had the most overlap with this philosopher, I don’t recall to have ever heard his name before. But I really like his view, seems to be some kind of overlap between a book I read “das cafe am Rande der Welt”. Can’t recommend the book since it seemed to make pseudo philosophy statement, but it went in the same direction as ephicoros

We seem to be programmed to desire more, fighting against that feeling is what we are trying to achieve through Enlightenment, if there is such a thing.

Pleasure is good. ^.^

u people dont even know how to say his name right...the transcription and as so the pronunciation of his name are wrong...