Pleasure as an end

The goal of Epicurean philosophy is to live a life of pleasure, it gives some advice on how to do this but mostly it's about what personally produces pleasure for you. Pleasure is the only "end" in Epicurean philosophy, this means that everything else is judged by it's use in gaining that end.





Everything else as a means to gaining pleasure

Some of you may read this as limiting the way in which you can live your life but in reality it's the opposite, you can use any tool so long as you evaluate it on it's pleasure to pain ratio.





You practice altruism, very good but to what end? Does it make you happy to see others benefiting from your generosity?





You practice meditation, what's your goal in doing it? To gain a pleasure via the "jhanas" or for some abstract reason?





You go to the gym, does working out give you pleasure and/or the changes you and others see in your body?





Okay, okay what's your point man?

The point is, if the things you do in life are not producing the goal of human nature, (pleasure) then it's time to reevaluate them. If you are being virtuous (meaning practicing courage, prudence, self control etc...) you must know to what end and if you are an Epicurean that end is pleasure.





Conclusion

As an Epicurean you can continue to do things which bring you pleasure, you love whiskey? Keep drinking brother (but stop before the pain of the hangover makes it not worth it)





If you are in a relationship with someone for the sake of "love" but you are unhappy, stop. Put your own pleasure and happiness first, we only have one life to why choose unhappiness for some abstract reason as love?*





*It's important to note, if you are married, in jail, have kids etc... it's your own fault. Nobody forced you to do these things but don't be grim you can still live pleasurably.





If you are in a situation where you are forced into an unhappy situation against your will, you have my condolences and I wish you the very best.







