The two highest pleasures: tranquility of mind and freedom from pain
What do the words "ataraxia" and "aponia" mean to you? Have you heard of them? Write what comes to mind β even if it's "I have no idea." That's fine.
From Lesson 10, we learned that Epicureanism is a form of hedonism β pleasure is the highest good. But we also learned that Epicurus has a specific, distinctive definition of "pleasure."
Lesson 11 showed us the practical framework: classify desires and pursue only those that lead to stable, saturable pleasure.
Today we zoom in on the target: ataraxia and aponia β the two states that Epicurus considered the highest and best pleasures.
Etymology: "a-" (without) + "taraxe" (disturbance) = "without disturbance"
Definition: Tranquility of mind; freedom from fear, anxiety, and mental turmoil
Key feature: This is not the absence of emotion or numbness. It's not Stoic apathy. It's a positive state of peace and contentment.
Epicurus identified the main sources of mental disturbance:
Fear of death: Lesson 8-9 addressed this directly. Death is the end of sensation; it can't harm you because you won't be there to experience it. Once you accept this rationally, the fear dissolves.
Fear of the gods: Lesson 9 showed that Epicurus actually believed in gods β but as beings of perfect tranquility who don't intervene in human affairs. They don't punish; they don't judge. Once you understand this, divine fear is unfounded.
Endless desire: The classification of desires (Lesson 11) shows that many desires are insatiable β they lead nowhere. By focusing on saturable desires (Category 1 and 2) and suppressing insatiable ones (Category 3), you achieve contentment. You're not always wanting more.
Anxiety about the future: Epicureanism teaches self-sufficiency. Focus on what you can control (your friendships, your choices about desires). Accept what you cannot control with equanimity. This reduces the anxiety of uncertainty.
Internal conflict: Living simply, honestly, and in alignment with your values (not pursuing vain status or lying) eliminates the internal conflicts that create guilt and shame.
Ataraxia is the beginning and end of the blessed life.
β Epicurus (attested in ancient sources)
A critical question: Is Epicurus promising that you can achieve complete, uninterrupted peace? Or is he saying that peace is the goal to aim for, even if imperfectly achieved?
The evidence suggests the latter. Epicurus spoke of degrees of ataraxia. He also acknowledged that even he, living the ideal life, still experienced occasional disturbances. But the baseline was tranquility. Disturbances were exceptions, not the norm.
This is psychologically realistic: you aim for peace, knowing you won't always achieve it perfectly, but the direction of your effort matters.
Etymology: "a-" (without) + "ponos" (pain/suffering) = "without pain"
Definition: Freedom from bodily pain; physical health and comfort
Key feature: Not the pursuit of luxury or comfort, but the state of health and the absence of pain
This is one of Epicurus's most distinctive claims. In modern thinking, we distinguish between "pleasure" and "not-pain." They seem like different things.
But Epicurus says: the absence of pain is itself a pleasure. When you're healthy and your body feels good, you're experiencing pleasure. It's not the pleasure of something happening (kinetic pleasure), but the pleasure of a satisfied state (katastematic pleasure).
You were experiencing aponia.
The moment the pain ceased, you felt relief β and that relief is a pleasure. Not an exciting pleasure, not a pleasure of activity or sensation, but a deep, satisfied pleasure: "Now I feel good. My body is at ease."
Epicurus's insight: This is one of the highest pleasures. Not because it's thrilling, but because it's stable, sustainable, and universally valued. Everyone knows this pleasure.
Think about chronic pain sufferers: their deepest hope is for pain relief. Once achieved, they report increased wellbeing and life satisfaction β even if nothing else changes. That's aponia.
Nutrition and health: Eat well enough to be healthy. Plain food in adequate amounts is sufficient. You don't need expensive medicines or luxury foods to achieve health.
Exercise and activity: Move your body. Maintain fitness. Not for vanity, but for health.
Avoid sources of pain: Don't overindulge (creates bloating, hangover, indigestion). Don't engage in risky behavior that might cause injury. Don't pursue activities that harm your health (like constant drinking or drug use).
Reduce stress: The stress of pursuing excessive desires creates physical pain (tension, elevated cortisol, poor sleep). Simplifying your life reduces this.
When we are ill, nothing is more pleasant than health; when we are hungry, nothing more pleasant than having eaten to satisfaction.
β Epicurus (attested in ancient sources)
Saturation point exists: There's a level of material comfort and pleasure beyond which additional goods don't increase wellbeing. This is empirically true (happiness research confirms it).
Beyond saturation comes diminishing returns: Once the cup is full, additional effort to acquire more creates pain (work stress, anxiety, complications) without adding pleasure.
Simplicity is wise: If you need less to reach saturation, you can achieve the highest pleasure with modest means. This is freedom.
Common examples:
The insight: The Epicurean life is about identifying your saturation point and then stopping. You've already achieved the highest pleasure. Continuing to pursue more often means trading the pleasure you have for pain and complication in pursuit of marginal gains.
Modern consumer culture rejects the cup metaphor. It says: "More is always better. You can never have enough. The next purchase/experience will satisfy you." This is marketing, not philosophy.
Epicureanism, by contrast, says: "Identify what satisfies you. Achieve it. Stop pursuing more. Enjoy the peace of having what you need."
Which leads to more actual pleasure?
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.
β Epicurus (attested in ancient sources)
Choose 2-3 of the following questions to explore. Click on a card to select it, then write your response below.
What causes you the most mental disturbance? Which of Epicurus's remedies (philosophy about death, desire, gods, simplicity) appeals most to you?
When do you feel most physically well and free from pain? What's required to maintain that state? Is it expensive or simple?
Can you identify your saturation point for any good (food, money, possessions, social status)? What happens when you go past it?
Is achieving ataraxia and aponia realistically possible in the modern world? What barriers exist? Is compromise acceptable?
Do you agree that tranquility and freedom from pain are higher pleasures than excitement and novelty? Why or why not?
How might achieving aponia (physical health) help you achieve ataraxia (mental peace)? How are they connected?
Without looking back, write down: What were the main charges against Epicureanism in antiquity? Why did people fear or hate it?
What did Epicurus believe about the gods? How are they different from the gods people usually fear?
Without looking back at previous tabs, write down everything you can remember about:
Ataraxia:
Aponia:
The Cup Metaphor:
Relationship:
"I can explain ataraxia and aponia as the two highest Epicurean pleasures. I can use the cup metaphor to explain the saturation principle. I can apply these concepts to think about my own wellbeing."
Lesson 13: The Virtues as Means β How does Epicureanism view virtue? Are virtues good in themselves, or only instrumental? This lesson addresses a major ethical question: what makes actions right?