Epicurean Happiness: A Pig's Life?

Abstract

In this paper, I argue that for Epicurus, the highest form and final end of human happiness arises whenthe body is free from pain and the soul is free from distress; these, moreover, are what Epicurus denotesas the static pleasures. The static pleasures may be accompanied by pleasant thoughts and sensations:these are what are called the kinetic pleasures. More particularly, the kinetic pleasures of the body arenot those of replenishment (as is commonly supposed), but consist rather in unalloyed, but alsounnecessary, pleasures such as sweet smells and delicious tastes; correspondingly, the kinetic pleasuresof the mind are joy (khara) and good cheer (euphrosunê), which also are in the class of non-necessarypleasures