PHILOSOPHY - Epicurus Flashcards

1
Q

Question: According to Epicurus, what are the three mistakes we make when thinking about happiness?

A

Answer: Epicurus identified three common mistakes about happiness: believing it comes from romantic relationships, pursuing excessive wealth, and obsessing over luxury.

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2
Q

Question: How does Epicurus view the importance of friendship in achieving happiness?

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Answer: Epicurus valued the importance of friendship as a display of human nature at its sweetest. He believed that we need friends around more often to be truly happy.

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3
Q

Question: What does Epicurus consider the key to happiness?

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Answer: Epicurus suggests that true happiness can be achieved with three essential things: the presence of friends, working to help others or make a difference, and achieving a calm, untroubled mind.

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4
Q

Question: How did Epicurus and his friends seek happiness in their lives?

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Answer: Epicurus bought a house large enough to accommodate all his friends, who lived together and stopped working for others. They took pay cuts to develop hobbies and focused on achieving a calm state of mind.

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5
Q

Question: What impact did Epicurus’s philosophy have on communities?

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Answer: Epicurean communities that followed his philosophy of happiness and communal living spread widely around the Mediterranean.

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6
Q

Question: What did Karl Marx’s doctoral thesis focus on, and what connection does it have to Epicureanism?

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Answer: Karl Marx’s PhD thesis centered on Epicurus, and his concept of communism can be seen as a grown-up, somewhat corrupted version of Epicureanism. Both philosophies emphasize communal living and a focus on what truly brings happiness.

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7
Q

Question: Why do humans often struggle to make themselves happy, according to Epicurus?

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Answer: Epicurus suggests that humans struggle to make themselves happy because they focus on the wrong things, such as sex, money, and luxury. They underestimate the importance of friendships and achieving a calm mind.

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8
Q

Question: What advice does Epicurus offer for finding true happiness in life?

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Answer: Epicurus advises individuals to reflect on the moments that genuinely make them happy and to align their lives with those moments that bring true satisfaction.

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