Week 3: Epicurus

Epicurus: He who is not satisfied with a little, is satisfied with nothing.

For Epicurus the point of life was to attain pleasure which he saw as being a kind of tranquility. His school in Athens was called The Garden.

For Epicurus, pleasure is the result of achieving one's desires and he divided desires into 3 types - natural and necessary, natural and unnecessary and vain and empty desires. Natural and necessary desires such as the desire for food according to Epicurus are easy to fulfill and bring great pleasure such as eating a piece of bread when hungry. Natural but unnecessary desires include desires for luxury foods and people should avoid becoming dependent on these.
For Epicurus vain desires include those for power, wealth and fame. They are difficult to satisfy and have no natural limits on them. Epicurus believes happiness lies in eliminating these desires.
'If you wish to make Pythocles wealthy, don't give him more money; rather reduce his desires.'

Therefore there is great pleasure in eating simple food and this should be enjoyed, but luxury foods, large quantities and hankerings after specific foods should be avoided.