Epicurus divided happiness into three categories. The first category is natural and necessary, for example, people need to eat and drink for survival, that is, to satisfy their appetite; The second category is natural, but it is not necessary, such as people's satisfaction with sexual desire; The third category is neither natural nor necessary, such as the satisfaction of people's desire for power and the pursuit of honor. According to Epicurus, happiness and happiness mean the same thing. He emphasized that among happiness and happiness, static happiness is the most lasting. Therefore, he does not approve of excessive dynamic happiness. He believes that the body feels best when it is in a state of balance, which is what we advocate now. In this way, there will be no interference and people will not suffer. He pointed out that intense and dynamic happiness often leads to extremes, which brings people long-term pain, such as the harm to others caused by power and the spiritual emptiness caused by extravagance. To achieve long-term happiness and happiness, it is only to pursue a quiet and peaceful life, so as to achieve the undisturbed soul.
In order to achieve lasting happiness in the future, we must refuse short-term happiness. Indulgence and indulgence will only bring greater pain in the future. This is also in line with China's Buddhist philosophy. In the Zen Buddhism of China, the epiphany and gradual realization of the mind are emphasized. But it boils down to one point, that is, to eliminate interference, control desire and achieve peace of mind, which is the so-called paradise. Epicurus said: "Virtue refers to the prudent balance in the pursuit of happiness."
Epicurus emphasized that when we consider whether an action is interesting or not, we must also consider its side effects. While pursuing short-term happiness, we must also consider whether it is possible to obtain greater, more lasting and stronger happiness. He also stressed that most of the physical happiness is imposed on us, while the spiritual happiness can be dominated by us, so making friends and enjoying art is also a pleasure. Self-desire must be controlled, and a peaceful state of mind can help us endure pain. Epicurus believed in democritus's atomism, but he did not think that the motion of atoms was governed by various natural laws. Epicurus denied religion, denied that God was the highest lawmaker, and therefore despised the principle of necessity. Epicurus also agreed with democritus's statement about "soul atom" that after death, the soul atom leaves the body and flies everywhere, so there is no life after death.
He said, "Death has nothing to do with us, because as long as we exist, death will not come, and when death comes, we will no longer exist." Epicurus thinks that the fear of death is irrational, because his own understanding of death is ignorance of death itself. Epicurus' theory did not develop a scientific tradition, but its attitude of free thinking and practice of opposing superstition have always been respected by some upper class members in the early Roman Empire. Today, however, the word "Epicurus" has a different meaning and a certain derogatory meaning, which is used to describe people who pursue pleasure. God is not afraid enough, he is not worried enough when he dies, suffering is easy to endure and happiness is easy to seek.
Epicurus also said that recognizing mistakes is the first step to save yourself. Seneca, an ancient Roman philosopher, once said, "If a person has not realized that he is doing something wrong, he will not have the desire to correct it." There are similar famous sayings in ancient Chinese philosophers. For example, Zeng Shen, a disciple of Confucius, said, "I save myself three times a day." This is a kind of "self-examination consciousness" advocated by ancient philosophers, and it should have extraordinary significance for today's people who are addicted to material pursuit and pleasure pursuit.
The highly developed modern material civilization has created extreme poverty in people's spiritual world. This is the lack of people's self-examination consciousness. Especially in our country with Confucian traditional ideas, it's none of our business, so we should be wise to protect ourselves. Whenever we do something wrong or get into trouble, we don't really reflect on ourselves, but blindly seek ways to avoid our responsibilities. Whenever we fail in exams, get frustrated in job hunting, and get stuck in something, the first thing we think of is not the lack of our own efforts, the lack of strength, and the gap in ability, but blaming others and external factors for our failure, while lacking the torture of our own souls and deep introspection. Therefore, our mental protection ability and psychological control ability are getting worse and worse, and when we are in trouble, we often have to be in the abyss of pain. There is no happiness in such a life.
People and nations with the spirit of introspection are destined to be powerful people and nations. Therefore, "Recognizing mistakes is the first step to save yourself!" We should really remember! Only in this way can we not lose ourselves in the complicated world, can we achieve no pain in the body and no disturbance in the soul, and can we really live happily.
people must experience pain and disturbance in their growth, and only after that can they truly be free from pain and disturbance.