Epicurus and the Modern World
Can happiness thrive in a world of kinetic pleasures?
If the inhabitants of ancient Rome were to time-travel to the modern world, even to a comparatively humble town like Bolton or Wigan, they would marvel at many aspects of life. They would be astounded (and perhaps perturbed) by the technologies we take for granted - electricity, communications, even railways - which far surpass those of Rome even at the height of its power. Our world, like theirs, is one founded on the notion that happiness arises from kinetic pleasures (ie pleasures involving action or change) rather than simply the absence of troubles. Our resurrected Romans would be familiar with the pub (Latin taverna), the butcher’s shop and the brothel. The computer games’ shop might require more explanation!
With time, they might also become familiar with today’s ennui, the sense of listlessness and bored dissatisfaction. They might wonder how this is possible given the sheer array of distractions and pleasures available to even the modestly affluent. At this point, the more philosophical might, indeed, remember Epicurus’ teaching that happiness is to be found more in static pleasures (ie freedom from pain and mental distress) than from kinetic pleasures.
Yet if our world ignores this fact, then it is a world built for unhappiness. Our problems with mental health are inevitable in such a world.
Can an Epicurean live successfully in this world?
The answer, of course, is ‘yes’, but this is perhaps easier said than done.
A metaphor for the world in which we live might be the school. Usually seen as a benign period of one’s life (and even as the happiest!), schools habituate us to living by the bell and under the tutelage of some hierarchy or other. We acquire learning, or at least certificates of learning, for the sake of some future career and the greatest efforts are usually made by those with the loftiest ambitions, or the most desperate (home) situations. Those who excel most are those with the greatest capacity for sacrificing today for tomorrow. We reward and privilege the capacity for self-denial and, of course, the Carthusians among us are most likely to triumph.
How can we leave the school-cum-prison in which we live?
The ‘mind-forged manacles’ we bear are the fruit of lifelong struggle in a society built for unhappiness. ‘Ambition’, once considered sinful, is now felt to be the mark of an upstanding citizen, who will work, pay taxes and consume dutifully. In the aftermath of 9/11, still the worst terrorist attack in history, the American President, George Bush, called for his countrymen to go shopping.1 To save our maddening world, go and purchase more unnecessary things!
To a large extent, society’s measure of ‘success’ is an assessment of our prowess at shopping. Did we select the right subjects at school, or the right career, or the best university? Fear of failure or judgement keeps us as busy bees, gradually learning to make our way in the world of shopping in a way similar to how peasant-women might judge potatoes.
Letting go of ideas of ‘success’ is perhaps the hardest obstacle to our happiness. We are praised and rewarded for our capacity to be unhappy. Happiness requires no praise. When did you last praise someone for being happy?
Losing the sense of self-importance and the desire to be important is no small thing. Happiness is remarkably easy when we embrace humility and see the maddening world for what it is.
Who will join me?
https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1872229_1872230_1872236,00.html