Alex noticed a major change in the way the people of the town thought during the previous ten years.
They were beginning to follow the ancient concept of stoicism. Alex was curious to learn why.
While sipping tea at the neighborhood in one evening, Alex considered how people were constantly seeking pleasure and avoiding suffering.
They appeared to be tired rather than delighted by this. Alex considered, “Maybe true happiness is somewhere else.”
Alex started up a conversation with Marcus, the elderly landlord. Marcus said, “It can be costly to pursue pleasure. Leading an opulent lifestyle can quickly drain your finances.”
This brought back memories for Alex. The Stoic philosopher Seneca famously said: “A wise person doesn’t see riches as something they are undeserving of, but they also do not enjoy it.
They would have preferred to it, but don’t let it enter their hearts. If having wealth allows someone to pursue morality, that is beneficial.”
Alex agreed. Alex wondered, “Building wealth is good, but it should be consistent with our moral principles.” We shouldn’t pursue it for short-term gratification or reputation.
Alex also investigated other ancient philosophies, such as Epicureanism, which had different takes on pleasure and riches.
Alex thought that by studying these lessons, he would be able to lead a well-rounded and satisfying life.
Alex continued to explore, a mind open to new ideas and a curious heart. He found that there are still important lessons to be learned from old wisdom in order to lead a happy and moral life.
A different view on freedom and money
Alex was reading a big scroll while sitting in the shade of an old olive tree one bright afternoon.
The philosophy of Epicurus, a Greek philosopher born in Samos in 341 BC, was recorded in this scroll.
Alex was amazed that Epicurus had lived alongside such greats as Plato and Aristotle and had seen the emergence of schools of thought as Platonism, Cynicism, and Stoicism.
Alex imagined what it must have been like for Epicurus, a fourteen-year-old student studying philosophy under multiple philosophers, while he read.
Epicurus looked for an acceptable ground as opposed to the Cynics, who disapproved of material goods, or the Stoics, who accepted fate with a calm indifference.
Neither did he fit into Plato’s world of ideal forms.
Rather, Epicurus longed for a philosophy that advised against the risks of excessive consumption while embracing life’s pleasures.
He developed what would later be referred to as Epicureanism as a result of his quest.
Living in the era of Epicurus, when Athens was teeming with intellectual activity and competing ideologies competed for dominance, appealed to Alex.
He imagined himself walking through the bustling neighborhoods of Athens and coming across Cynics who advocated a life free of conventional goals for wealth, power, and reputation, and Stoics who encouraged acceptance of all situations.
Epicurus’s voice appeared out among these many theories, arguing that pleasure—when properly understood—is the ultimate good.
He did, however, issue a warning against seeking instant fulfillment since this could result in pain down the road.
Epicurus offered a well-rounded strategy that was well-received with Alex. He supported common joys like knowledge, friendship, and mental tranquility.
“While I find myself moving more towards the Stoic belief that one should be indifferent to pleasure,” Alex reflected, “the ideas of Epicurus offer a healthy balance.”
Alex felt inspired as he rolled up the scroll as the sun started to set. He came to see that he might apply the timeless lessons of these old concepts to his own life by learning about them.
Alex headed back to the town with a heart full of newly discovered understanding, ready to impart his knowledge to anybody who would listen.
Therefore, Alex continued in his search for knowledge, guided by the knowledge of the ancients and a moderation in the pursuit of a happy and moral existence.
Epicurus and wealth
While walking through the town, Alex came upon a heated argument taking place in the marketplace.
The day’s subject was Epictetus’s theories and beliefs around money. Curious, Alex walked into the group of villagers, ready to hear and offer his opinions.
In order to gain a greater understanding of these concepts, Alex considered the statements made by Haris Dimitriadis in *Epicurus and The Pleasant Life*.
In terms of wealth, Dimitriadis summarized the core ideas of Epicureanism: “Wealth is defined by Epicurus as the material resources that enable us to fulfill our essential and natural needs.”
In contrast, most people assume that a wealthy person can afford to support all of their aspirations.
Alex gave the group this realization. When we try to achieve everything, we put ourselves in danger our desires,” he said.
“We are setting ourselves up for frustration if we think that having a large house, expensive car, prominent job, and a jet-set lifestyle will make us happy.”
“It’s hard to satisfy all desires, and even if you manage to, it doesn’t guarantee happiness,” remarked a knowledgeable elder in the group, agreeing.
Alex agreed. It’s the most important thing to note. Happiness returns to a baseline established by our perspective on life, not rises with desires satisfied.
Getting a lot of money is difficult and frequently not worthwhile.
Epicurus once said, “A free life cannot acquire great wealth, because the task is not easy without slavery to the mob or those in power.” He then recalled those remarks.
Alex paused to collect his thoughts before saying, “Even though I may not entirely agree with the idea that a free life cannot accumulate considerable wealth, I think it is difficult to accomplish so without giving up genuine freedom.
As everyone thought about finding a balance between freedom and money, the crowd shouted in harmony.
The wisdom of the old philosopher and the common reflections of his fellow villagers strike a profound connection with Alex.
Alex left the discussion having gained a deeper comprehension of Epicurus’s ideas. He came to see that pursuing wealth should not be in opposition to fulfilling essential and natural desires, but rather with satisfying all of his wants.
Maintaining this balance was essential to leading a really fulfilled and independent life.
Alex continued on his search with these ideas in mind, ever willing to share and learn. The philosophers’ eternal wisdom.
He was aware that by understanding these age-old lessons, he would be able to guide both himself and other people through the difficulties of modern life from a rational and informed standpoint.
Make some Epicurean arrangements
Alex’s thoughtful exploration of the relationship between wealth, happiness, and philosophical perspectives.
Here’s a breakdown of the key points and themes discussed:
Opinion on Wealth and Happiness:
Alex warns against pursuing excessive wealth as the only path to happiness while acknowledging the need of financial security (“having no money can lead to a difficult life”).
He stresses moderation and suggests finding a balance where one has “just enough to meet our needs comfortably.”
Philosophical Structures:
Alex takes his guiding principles from Epicureanism and Stoicism. Whereas Epicureanism highlights moderation in enjoying life’s small pleasures, stoicism promotes endurance and retaining inner strength during adversities.
He points out how these ideologies may be adjusted to fit a person’s situation, quoting Nietzsche’s maxim that Epicureanism is better in stable times and Stoicism in violent ones.
Philosophical Integration:
For a healthy and satisfying life, Alex recommends combining Epicurean moderation with Stoic resilience.
He emphasizes the value of mental and emotional well-being and promotes resilience and appreciation of life’s smaller pleasures as aspects of a positive outlook.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion:
The residents of the town head in agreement, showing that they value Alex’s observations and the careful explanation of these philosophical ideas.
The group’s increased comprehension of how these philosophical ideas might guide a balanced way of living is emphasized in the end.
Ultimately, Alex’s observations support a perspective that emphasizes resilience and an appreciation of life’s small joys, supporting a holistic understanding of prosperity and happiness.
His talk deepens the townspeople’s comprehension and gives them a fresh outlook on overcoming life’s obstacles.
