Epicurean

This week we discussed Epicureans and their ideas about life. They believe that everything that happens to us is a matter of a reaction of atoms. As atomists they seem to eliminate the idea of free will. Our choices are only a reaction to something else that has happened. Their main goal is to simply maximize pleasure and minimize pain. Their ideas of a meaningless life leave them focusing on a very basic idea of happiness. All that constitutes happiness for Epicureans is avoiding pain and fear. They discourage a belief in religions, mysticism, and mythology because they believe that they will give us false ideas. Epicureans believe that our souls will die along with our bodies and therefore we do not need to waste time focusing on an afterlife. The Epicureans ideas are depressing and hopeless to a society, especially at our Christian university, that strives to find meaning in life. It is almost impossible to believe that all of our actions and thoughts are meaningless; that we will eventually become nothing. Their ideas beg a lot of questions about what the point of anything is. If there is nothing after this and nothing we do is our own decision, why do Epicureans bother going through the motions of life? What is the point of gaining knowledge, having children, or finding a job if it will amount to nothing? Also, is there any incentive to be a good person? Why would anyone bother helping others if we have no purpose. But even the Epicureans gave themselves a relief from this idea with their idea of the “swerve.” Even this cynical group could not imagine a life completely devoid of choice and purpose. Overall, the Epicureans idea is impossible for me to accept. Since there is something instead of nothing, I am inclined to believe there is something for a reason.