Epicurus

Abstract Epicurus revives and modifies the hedonism of the Cyrenaics, but against them he maintains that the ultimate end is not simply the pleasure of the moment, but maximum pleasure over one’s life as a whole. When we keep this goal in mind, we see that we maximize pleasure over our lives if we achieve tranquillity and freedom from disturbance. Enlightened hedonists therefore will not prefer a life of strong desires followed by strong feelings of pleasure that lead in turn to further strong desires that demand satisfaction, but will prefer desires that are easily satisfied. For the same reasons enlightened hedonists cultivate the recognized virtues of character; they will be temperate and just for the sake of tranquillity.