Differences of Happiness by Epicurus and Seneca Essay Sample

In Happiness, Seneca was very critical of the Epicurean approach to happiness. He showed his disapproval of seeking pleasure and displayed the difference in their beliefs. Seneca also gave a fair share of praise by agreeing with certain aspects. I want to emphasize his praises because I believe that their systems connect in many ways that may have been a result of some influence or inspiration. Seneca and Epicurus had very different views on happiness, I will argue that the foundation of their belief system shares several commonalities. 

The Stoics saw happiness as the tranquility that came with freedom. Freedom is their indifference to uncontrollable factors; they believed in only being concerned with things that were controllable. They accepted that their fate was beyond their reach and that they shouldn't care about the outcome, because they couldn't control it. The Stoics also believed in following the guidance of nature. "Not to stray from nature and to mold ourselves according to her law and pattern - this is true wisdom." (Seneca, 43) This required them to be social, virtuous, unattached to their advantage, and compassionate toward their bodies and others. For Epicureans, pleasure is the only intrinsic good that humanity should strive for. " And for this reason, we call pleasure the beginning and end of the blessed life." (Epicurus, 36) The Epicureans followed a belief system similar to hedonism. Hedonism manifests the idea that the most desirable outcome of a happy life is one with more pleasure and less pain. 

Their views were obviously very different. The Stoics believed in their freedom while the Epicureans believed in hedonism. However, the foundation that these beliefs were built upon is very similar. The Stoics and Epicureans lived a modest and simple way of life. In both schools of thought, virtue is seen as a necessity for living a happy life. The Stoics believe that happiness can’t be achieved without acting virtuously. " To obey God is freedom, Therefore true happiness is founded upon virtue. "(Seneca, 51) Although the Epicureans were heavily defamed for being thought of as profligates, they believe in living prudently and justly. "It is not possible to live pleasantly without living prudently and honorably and justly,"(Epicurus, 36) Both systems were built on the removal of fear. Seneca states, "I may say that the happy man is one who is freed from both fear and desire because of the gift of reason," (Seneca, 44) Stoics removed their fear because fear is the dread of the future that can't be known or controlled. Epicurus says, "For it is to obtain this end that we always act, namely, to avoid pain and fear." (Epicurus, 36) Because happiness is dependent on the removal of fears, the Epicureans overcame their fears of God, nature, each other, and death. Similarly, the Stoics and Epicureans were very indifferent about death. The Stoics were indifferent to death because it was inevitable and out of their control. The Epicureans didn’t care about death because death doesn’t actively affect their life, as long as they’re living. "a right understanding that death is nothing to us makes the mortality of life enjoyable," (Epicurus, 35) This quote really shows their indifference towards death which is very similar to Stoicism. 

Although Seneca and Epicurus had very different views on happiness, I have argued that the foundation of their belief system shares several commonalities. I know that Seneca is ultimately displeased with Epicurus’ teachings, but I believe that because there were a handful of similarities, there may have been some inspiration or influence.