Epicurean
It should come as no surprise to anyone that I ascribe to the Epicurean school of philosophy. In many ways, it resembles Stoicism, but is less about self-abnegation and acceptance and is more positive and thriving oriented.
I think the story Goldilocks and the Three Bears kind of sums it up - the porridge that's too cold, the bed that's too hard, those are Stoic attributes because at least they have porridge and a bed, they accept what is sent their way without complaint.
The porridge that's too hot, the bed that's too soft, that's sybaritic. An overindulgence, if a little is good, then too much is better.
But the porridge that was just right, and the bed that was just right - that's Epicurean. You have what you need, but not so little or so harsh that you must endure it, and not so much that you are overwhelmed - just the right amount to fulfill your needs.
Epicureanism is a philosophy of living a life - for oneself and others - that is free of unncessary pain, free of want for necessities, free of oppression. It's about balance and thriving, of having enough so one is free to pursue the arts or to spend time thinking and learning because time isn't spent in struggling to survive. It's about having enough and knowing one could have more, be more, do more, so there's still the impetus to strive that is robbed from us in a sybaritic world of complete indulgance.
I like Epicureanism, and the more I study it, the more I like it.
I think the story Goldilocks and the Three Bears kind of sums it up - the porridge that's too cold, the bed that's too hard, those are Stoic attributes because at least they have porridge and a bed, they accept what is sent their way without complaint.
The porridge that's too hot, the bed that's too soft, that's sybaritic. An overindulgence, if a little is good, then too much is better.
But the porridge that was just right, and the bed that was just right - that's Epicurean. You have what you need, but not so little or so harsh that you must endure it, and not so much that you are overwhelmed - just the right amount to fulfill your needs.
Epicureanism is a philosophy of living a life - for oneself and others - that is free of unncessary pain, free of want for necessities, free of oppression. It's about balance and thriving, of having enough so one is free to pursue the arts or to spend time thinking and learning because time isn't spent in struggling to survive. It's about having enough and knowing one could have more, be more, do more, so there's still the impetus to strive that is robbed from us in a sybaritic world of complete indulgance.
I like Epicureanism, and the more I study it, the more I like it.