What are the four elements of the Epicurean tetrapharmakos?

The “tetrapharmakos” was originally a compound of four drugs (wax, tallow, pitch and resin); the word has been used metaphorically by Roman-era Epicureans to refer to the four remedies for healing the soul.

What are the four maxims of the tetrapharmakos?

The tetrapharmakos consists of four maxims which encapsulate the Epicurean outlook on god, life, death, pleasure, and pain.

What is an example of epicureanism?

People who enjoy luxury surroundings and good wine are examples of people with an Epicurean philosophy. People who live life in pursuit of pleasure are an example of Epicurean people. Suited to the tastes of an epicure.

What are the three things Epicurus says are necessary for happiness?

Interesting thing about Epicurus is that one thing he believed in we still search for today in our society. Happiness. He believed that there were 3 ingredients to happiness. Friends, Freedom, and an Analyzed life.

Who proposed the four fold cure?

Among the fragments of papyri, scholars discovered a summary of Epicurean philosophy that Philodemus labelled the “fourfold cure” — “tetrapharmakos” in Greek. It’s a summary of the first four of the forty “principle doctrines” of Epicurus.

Do not fear God do not worry about death?

“Don’t fear god, Don’t worry about death; What is good is easy to get, and What is terrible is easy to endure.”

What is the four part cure?

The Fourfold Cure The Tetrapharmakos was an actual “fourfold drug” used in ancient Greece and Rome, a compound of wax, pine resin, pitch and fat. The word was used by Philodemus metaphorically as if the four chief doctrines of Epicurus were a prescription to cure our spiritual ills.

What are the elements of the good life according to Epicurus?

For Epicurus, the most pleasant life is one where we abstain from unnecessary desires and achieve an inner tranquility (ataraxia) by being content with simple things, and by choosing the pleasure of philosophical conversation with friends over the pursuit of physical pleasures like food, drink, and sex.

What is Epicureanism in philosophy?

Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based on the teachings of Epicurus, founded around 307 B.C. It teaches that the greatest good is to seek modest pleasures in order to attain a state of tranquillity, freedom from fear (“ataraxia”) and absence from bodily pain (“aponia”).

What did the Epicureans believe about the afterlife?

Epicureanism believed in the concept of soul but they believed it was mortal just like our body. The concept of the afterlife was rejected in Epicureanism theory and it instructed to get rid of the fear of death. The Epicurean philosophy states that death has no sensation so there is no need to be scared of it.

What did Epicurus believe was the greatest good?

Following Aristippus—about whom very little is known—Epicurus believed that what he called “pleasure” was the greatest good, but that the way to attain such pleasure was to live modestly, to gain knowledge of the workings of the world, and to limit one’s desires.

What is the Epicurean understanding of Justice?

The Epicurean understanding of justice was inherently self-interested. Justice was deemed good because it was seen as mutually beneficial. Individuals would not act unjustly even if the act was initially unnoticed because of possibly being caught and punished.