Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 9

Philosophy - Essay Example Accordingly, in order to attain a happy life, people should avoid the primary sources of unhappiness which are the fear of death and the fear of gods. According to Epicurus, fear of death and fear of the gods are the chief sources of unhappiness in life. The definition of unhappiness seems to be simple though and that is the absence of happiness. But, for Epicurus, Happiness is the outcome pleasure. Basically pleasure is good and pain is bad. The absence of pain in the body and trouble in the soul can describe pleasure. Gods do not really castigate humans nor reward which makes sense in thinking that a happy life comprises of being free from the fear of gods and death (Boeree, 2000). A tranquil life, coined as ‘ataraxia’ and ‘aponia’, significantly means being free from fear and not experiencing pain. â€Å"Ataraxia† is like the real happiness of a person and surpassing the material world who embraces the principles of philosophy. And ‘aponia’ caters to the belief that happiness is the main goal of the human life. The two terms is apparent to a tranquil life where trouble in the soul c an be taken away as well as the inhibition of physical pain. Pleasure is good and this state can be maximized through the absence of pain in physical and mental senses. For Epicurus, fear of gods and fear of death are the primary sources of unhappiness that greatly affect the views of a person. Some people choose pain over pleasure because of thinking that this might lead to a greater pleasure. Epicurus insists that living a quiet and private life could be the best in order to live a happy life (Epicurus, 2000). This is because he rejects the popular perspective of the time. Pointless or the unnecessary desire can cause mental disquiet which should be avoided. Accordingly, human should look into the desires in different perspectives like the natural ones and the unjustified ones. Thus, specific grounds for happiness or achieving the necessary desires should be