. The reason I was attracted to, rather than repulsed, by Christianity was Jesus himself who was a rebel. The Book of Proverbs is filled with advice and admonitions about the importance of being wise and discrete. Christianity, based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, teaches love, compassion, charity, and forgiveness. This is a good thing(For instance, learning about Judaism is what first really brought me to Christ. However, our extinction will never cease, and it is our anticipation of this that can horrify. People today tend to think it represents ultimate, decadent . Several fundamental concepts characterize the philosophy of Epicurus. The stoic does everything for himself and the Epicurean does nothing for himself. What is clear, however, is that Jesus death was the price God was prepared to pay for the ineffable pleasure of reconciled relationship with humanity, a pleasure that overrides this lifes pains in the here and now and forever. Compare also Davidson, The Stoic Creed. But no less important was the practical action in living by the virtues taught by him and in honouring the obligations of reciprocal help in the name of friendship. They just go about it slightly differently. Stoics [N] [S] a sect of Greek philosophers at Athens, so called from the Greek word stoa i.e., a "porch" or "portico," where they have been called "the Pharisees of Greek paganism." The founder of the Stoics was Zeno, who flourished about B.C. At the moment he is training to be a lay preacher with the Anglican Church. The fear of divine punishment has permeated human behaviour for thousands of years. Both philosophies teach that there is no true evil. Peter is a freelance writer who has been published in publications such as Christianity Magazine and online for Patheos. When we say . We can learn to cope with lifes uncertainties by learning to take a step back from everything and then making a decision on what is best for us. Epicureanism is an ancient Greek philosophical system taught by Epicurus. . In the stoic philosophy, we should try and become self-sufficient so as to not rely on others for help and support. Are Christianity and Stoicism Compatible? - Faith and Rain In the case of Christianity, you have a god that demands perfection, knowing that humans are now incapable of obeying his every whim. The first step is to stop and take a step back from every days stressful events and situations. If this is the case, why does Christianity have a reputation for being a faith about suffering? The historical and contemporary record of Christianitys humanitarian acts such as establishing hospitals, charities and schools is impressive. Third, if epiphenomenalism is true and consciousness is a by-product of material processes, it is hard to see what biological role it would play and therefore it would be inexplicable on naturalistic terms. molar enthalpy of combustion of methanol. He lived between 341 and 269 BCE in Greece. We should try to make our own path through life, but its okay to use the paths that others have made before us. that pleasure is the end and aim, we do not mean the pleasures of the prodigal or the pleasures of sensuality. Most people take most of their pleasures in ways that do not cause others pain. This il leave for another time. Writes Epicurus: Epicureanisms matter-of-fact approach to social living shares much with Lockes utilitarianism, and even modern libertarianism. Christian Approval of Epicureanism - Volume 31 Issue 3. : the philosophy of Epicurus who subscribed to a hedonistic ethics that considered an imperturbable emotional calm the highest good and whose followers held intellectual pleasures superior to transient sensualism Does Atheism Have a Euthyphro-Style Dilemma. However, despite this popular conclusion, Christianity was too deeply rooted as the Roman Empires official religion for it to be supplanted. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'mindbydesign_io-leader-3','ezslot_18',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-mindbydesign_io-leader-3-0');When comparing the two philosophies together, I find it interesting that both epicureans and stoics are looking to take a step back from the troubles of life. He was always getting at the Pharisees who were keeping to the rules and rituals of their religion as if their lives with depended on it. Why Christianity, not Epicureanism, is the philosophy we need now, What Albert Camus (1913 1960) Got Wrong About Christianity. Finally, the Epicurean could appeal to the psychopaths sense of self-preservation: if he attempts to kidnap and murder someone, he might end up being killed by his victim who reaches for her gun first. 21. p.75 n.2 De Praescriptione Haereticorum, c. 42. Your email address will not be published. Later in life I would connect the dots, that maybe if these children where wrong, maybe so to where the teachers who spoke about God? Maybe they had a problem with alcohol or drugs. In the balance of these two forces, stoicism teaches us that we can live a good life that is worth living no matter what happens. In short, Cynicism proposed that life should be lived naturally rather than conventionally, Epicureanism proposed that each person should become wise about attaining pleasure, and Stoicism. The stoics were able to live contented and happy lives despite the fact that they were living in a world of hardship and torture. The Epicureans thought the fear of death animated the rest of lifes anxieties; in the twentieth century, Heidegger and the existentialists agreed. The Stoic school was founded by Zeno of Citium (cir. Therefore, both of these schools offer ways to avoid pain in life for the highest good. To resolve the fear of extinction, there are two arguments within Epicurean literature. One of the best ways to attain pleasure is to avoid pain, and the best way to do that is to live an easy life free from the hassles of life: We must therefore not [crave] for anything that is absent, for so we shall be less likely to miss it. This is what he calls seeking the pleasure he needs from killing others and his pleasure is far more important than anyones suffering. Epicurus and Christianity - Epicurus Today ). Epicurus devised a system of philosophy that aimed to define the goal of human life as well as offer a theory of knowledge (among many other things). Stoics in the Bible - Definition, Meaning and References B.C. It is a promise for the present, for everlasting life begins the moment a person is born again and is a potential infinite that stretches through and beyond his/her death. Owen, I fully understand your point of view and how you arrived at it. Stoic philosophers recommend then, trying to be indifferent to all non-essential elements in life, including pain. It is therefore not judicious for him to murder. What is the Epicurus Dilemma? (The Problem of Evil) More, the Epicureans came up with a many worlds cosmology long before twentieth-century quantum physics did, if for different reasons. Gain knowledge, be better, etc. When we learn to do this, we will be much happier. Luckily for scholars, weve built Logos editions of both. This belief was not in the beginning the result of positive teaching. The psychopath could argue that he adheres to another moral philosophy called violent hedonism. Many people are under the false impression that there is more to life than what is right in front of them. We are certainly highly flawed, and Christians have done an excellent job of pointing out that despite our advances in science and technology, we are not necessarily becoming more moral. As we do not think not existing before we were born a terrible thing, so we ought not to think that our non-existence after death is a terrible thing. Like dude, if youre gonna talk about Epicurus, talk about Epicurus. Epicureanism Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster Empiricism, atomism, extreme individuality, fear of death as the root of all anxietywhat makes these parallels really interesting is that they arent straighforward lines of influence. The struggle in faith is this and this alone, if I am lacking and in need, do I believe God is able to help me? Since individuals are their own best judges of how to live, society means essentially Leave me free to maximize my pleasure; in turn, since I dont want the negative repercussions, I wont infringe on the freedom of others. Libertarians, sound familiar? XIV; Usener, frgs. To quickly address #3, a natural life completely exempt from evil, mishap, or tragedy is not part of any religious or non-religious belief system. I feel so sad that it affected you so badly. I was never taught the arguments in favour of other religions, or even atheism. Most importantly, remember to open your heart as well as your mind. The image of hell was frightening for a child, who like most, had a vivid imagination. Our non-existence before our birth is mirrored by our non-existence after our deaths. Beginning more than 1,000 years ago, the Viking Age was a time of religious change across Scandinavia. Like it or not, were all going to die sooner or later. Some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" For the Epicurean to be right contra the psychopath, she would have to demonstrate that people are intrinsically valuable as a fact, something which the psychopath cannot see, but is objectively true. Epicurus was an atomic materialist, following in the steps of Democritus. Stoics & Epicureans - Mark E. Moore - History Lessons of the BIBLE His goal was the achievement of tranquillity; the means to this goal was materialism. Which philosophy is better is up to each individual person to decide. We can turn our worries and fears into a source of motivation that helps us to become better people in this world. As I said before, Christianity is fundamentally about the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Epicureans were some of the world's first materialists and argued that there is neither God, nor gods, nor spirits, but only atoms and the physical world. Philosophy Apophatic Ascetical Cataphatic Catholic spirituality Hellenistic Mystical theology Neoplatonic Henosis Practices Monasticism Monasticism Asceticism Spiritual direction Meditation Meditation Lectio Divina Invoking of Mystic Saints Active asceticism Contemplation Hesychasm Jesus prayer Quietism While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. That means these two philosophies both encourage people to be mindful of their actions, live in the present moment, cultivate equanimity (even towards things that cant be changed), and accept what they cannot control. The possibility that he might be killed by one of his victims heightens his pleasure because he enjoys risk-taking. Stoicism is a philosophy about the dichotomy between things we can control and those we cant. Epicureanism, Stoicism, Cynicism - Coach Jansen's Website By luck I have found a reference to a book on Epicureanism and early Christianity (it's quite interesting to myself because I am currently reading DeWitt's "St. Paul and Epicurus". It is true that Christianity offers everlasting compensation for the hardships and horrors of our mortal lives. Epicureans are not consumerists because they wish to avoid the pain of environmental destruction, economic inequality, and the exploitation of shop workers that consumerism causes. On the contrary, Christian belief is about the restoration of friendship with God and each other and the restoration of the natural world made possible by the atoning death of God the Son incarnated as Jesus of Nazareth and his resurrection (John 3:16; Romans 8:19-21). From Stoicism to Platonism: The Development of Philosophy, 100 BCE-100 Better that people reform because it is the right thing to do, but fear can work the same results. Its largely a result of our innate sense of guilt. It is healthy for anyone to make fun at themselves and their beliefs, be they religious or otherwise.