To achieve ataraxia (freedom from mental distress), Epicurus' follower Philodemus summarized the "four-part cure":
He advised followers to "live unnoticed" and avoid political life, as it brings more anxiety than reward. Epicurus and the Epicurean Tradition
Intense pain is usually brief; long-term pain is usually mild. 2. Practical Living and "The Garden" Practical Living and "The Garden" The gods exist
The gods exist as perfect beings but do not interfere in human affairs. Often misunderstood as a call for gluttony, the
Basic needs (food, shelter, friendship) are simple to satisfy.
Epicurus (341–270 BCE) founded , a school of philosophy that defines pleasure—the absence of pain and fear—as the highest good. Often misunderstood as a call for gluttony, the tradition actually advocates for a simple life of self-sufficiency and friendship . 1. The Core Philosophy: The "Tetrapharmakos"
Viewed as the greatest means of ensuring a happy life. Epicurus on the gods (Chapter 4)