simple pleasures

getting reacquainted with Epicurus #117

Let's play a little.

9:45 a.m I am settling down at my desk to write this latest issue of the Coach's Notes. I had a little chuckle to myself earlier about the name of this newsletter. There's another scribe I follow who has a publication called The Philosopher's Notes. He writes more about positive psychology, personal growth, and coaching than he does about philosophy. And here I am, with The Coach’s Notes, writing more philosophy these days than coaching. Maybe he and I should swap titles.

The gentle rain outside sets a nice backdrop as I write. I'm glad it's raining today and not yesterday or the day before while we were camping. We spent two nights under the stars in the presence of the Malvern Hills. On Saturday, we climbed up to Worcestershire Beacon and followed Summer Hill. I was happy to be roaming the hills again.

I have much to process mentally after the weekend. Look for it in a blog post later this week.

While wisdom foraging (reading) during the mornings at camp, Epicurus caught my attention. I've spent time with him before. He's one of those unjustly misunderstood philosophers. Although they tell me all philosophers are misunderstood! You would think Epicurus’ philosophy would be easy to understand since it can be summed up in one line: pleasure is the highest good. Everything else—fame, money, virtue, even philosophy—is just a means to that one end, pleasure. If, however, you stop at the idea of maximising pleasure, you miss the nuance of Epicurus.

For Epicurus, not all pleasures are equal. He made a distinction between different types of pleasures, categorising some as more meaningful and worthwhile than others. He believed that mental pleasures like inner peace, knowledge, and friendship were superior to fleeting physical thrills.

He advocated for simplicity: cultivating close bonds, gaining wisdom, and limiting desires to the natural and necessary. This was Epicurus' path to contentment.

I can relate to this.

If I set aside my penchant for tech and gadgets, I actually live a very simple life. I don't have a big house; I've never owned a brand new car (in fact, most of my cars have been old bangers); I'm not into fashion or fine dining; and my desire for money is to be comfortable enough, not filthy rich.

Sitting in a field around a campfire with family and friends, like I was this weekend, is the epitome of the good life for me. My life could be simpler, though, if I pushed for minimalism and shed the excess that comes with hoarding things I've accumulated over the years. If you took a quick glance around my office, you’d quickly see I’m surrounded by lots of stuff that has no other purpose than to take up space.

More reflections from my notes on Epicurus

Pleasure is a fundamental part of the human experience. It's our nature to seek out things that feel good and avoid pain or displeasure. When we make any choice or decision, we are implicitly measuring the amount of pleasure or pain it will bring us. Our attractions and aversions are guided by this anticipation of pleasure and pain.

Not all pleasures are created equal. We don't indiscriminately chase every fleeting pleasure. With wisdom and maturity comes the ability to discriminate between pleasures. We pass on certain pleasures when we judge that they might lead to greater discomfort down the road. For example, eating a delicious-looking pile of junk food provides immediate gustatory pleasure. But declining that impulse may prevent longer-term health issues and discomfort.

While pleasure is a natural human motivator, we shouldn't thoughtlessly indulge every desire. The judicious mind weighs the duration and quality of different pleasures. It avoids short-lived thrills that lead to greater pain. Discipline and moderation allow us to experience pleasure in a sustainable way without sabotaging our long-term well-being.

Pleasure is an innate human motivator that should be pursued thoughtfully, not recklessly. With discernment and foresight, we can fully experience pleasure while avoiding pitfalls. Mature decision-making requires a measured approach to pleasure that considers both immediate gratification and long-term impact.

Key takeaway

By being moderate in our desires and disciplined in our actions, we can thoughtfully pursue pleasure in a way that supports long-term fulfilment. The reflective mind learns to make choices that lead to sustaining, not sabotaging, our capacity for happiness. As we grow in wisdom and maturity, we become more discerning of the different pleasures life offers. Moderation, discernment, and foresight are keys to experiencing deep and abiding contentment. Epicurus provides a timeless framework for pursuing pleasure wisely.

In what ways do you differentiate between the various types of pleasure, and how do you balance them out to ensure your long-term well-being?

Peace and Wisdom,

Clay