“Consolation for Not Having Enough Money” Questions and Answers PDF

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“Consolation for Not Having Enough Money” Questions and Answers...

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Emily Pan (n0138636)

Final Test: “Consolation for Not Having Enough Money” 1. What is Epicurus’ definition of pleasure, and how is Epicurean hedonism different from the general view of hedonism most people have? (2 marks) Epicurus’ definition of pleasure: Pleasure is the beginning and goal of a happy life. The difference of Epicurean hedonism from the general view of hedonism most people have is an emphasis on the importance of sensual pleasure. The beginning and root of every good is the pleasure of the stomach. We all live with fear, sadness, and unhappiness, Epicurus believed that the greatest pleasure is the absence of mental and physical pain. 2. Explain Epicurus’ three sources of pleasure and why each of them leads to happiness. (6 marks) Epicurus’ three sources of pleasure are friendship, freedom and thought. Friendship leads to happiness because we need someone to confirm our identity and we trust people who will not criticize us as well as give each other love and respect. Freedom leads to happiness because we do not need to be tied down with unnecessary things, daily affairs, and politics since that is we trade a lot of our freedom in exchange for rewards. If we are not truly free, how can we be happy? Thought leads to happiness because when we think, write down a problem or arise it in conversion, we make its essential aspects appear. By understanding the problem, we can eliminate it. We can find that there is nothing to worry about. 3. Explain Epicurus’ three categories of desire, and why it is important to know the differences between them. (3 marks) The three categories of desire are natural and necessary, natural but unnecessary and neither natural nor necessary. It is important to know the differences between them because natural and necessary desire is a category of things that are important to our life and survival. These are our basic needs such as friends, freedom, thought and food, and are conducive to happiness, well-being and life itself. Natural but unnecessary desire is a category that we can get but not necessarily need such as a mansion, servants, which can make us pleasant but not essential to being happy. Neither natural nor necessary is the final category that we do not need as fame and power. These extreme and irrational desires make us anxious when this desire cannot fulfil, we are unhappy.

4. According to Epicurus, what makes us unhappy? (2 marks) When we have a desire, but there is no way to satisfy it, it will make us unhappy. The distance between the present situation (like how much money I have) and the desired situation (like how much money a luxury bag cost) will cause unhappiness. If I have enough money to buy the bag, then I’m happy. Happiness is a perfect match between desire and fact, between what I want and what I have. 5. How can we apply Epicurus’ philosophy to our own lives? Is his philosophy still relevant in today’s world? (2 marks) Epicurus’ philosophy is still relevant today and we can apply Epicurus’ philosophy to our own lives. To make us happy, we need to have friends to confirm our existence and our identity; we can stay away from unnecessary things, daily affairs, and politics to keep our freedom; when encountering a problem, we need to think, understand, then remove the problem, don't worry about things that will not happen. Don't desire things that exceed our current situation....