Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How did Epicurus distinguish bodily pleasure from tranquility?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Epicureanism
Epicurus, bronze bust from a Greek original, c. 280ā270 bce; in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples.
Epicurus distinguished between two forms of pleasure to define the ultimate goal of a happy life:
- Kinetic pleasure: This is a "kinetic" or active pleasure of the senses. While Epicurus considered this good, he noted it is not good merely as a motion, but rather as a motion that is favorable to the nature of the receiving sense organ.1
- Static pleasure: This is a "static" pleasure, which consists of the absence of pain in the body and trouble in the mind.1
Epicurus identified the supreme good and the ultimate end of life as this state of equilibrium, where pleasure is defined by the absence of pain. He taught that pleasure does not grow beyond this point but rather changes. Ultimately, the goal is to achieve "freedom from pain in the body and from trouble in the mind," a state of tranquility often referred to as ataraxia. By reducing needs and living a quiet life, the wise person maintains this equilibrium, which Epicurus viewed as the most perfect form of happiness.213