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Epicurus Research Paper

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Why A Pleasurable Life Should Still Be Just
Why does Epicurus think that a life that focuses on pleasure should still be a just (i.e. law abiding) one? Epicurus is a Greek philosopher who believes in Egoistic Hedonism, which is a theory that the pursuit of pleasure is the ultimate purpose of life. In this essay we will be focusing on why a life that focuses on pleasure should still be just. Furthermore we will learn how acting justly maximizes pleasure for individuals and for a society as a whole based on Epicurus's beliefs.

In the Principle Doctrines, Epicurus states that “ It is impossible to live a pleasant life without living wisely and honorably and justly...” (Epicurus, p.1, #5). According to Epicurus, one of the fundamental …show more content…
Justice is viewed as social conventions that are meant to maximize happiness for society as a whole. However, he also states that, “...if a man makes a law and it does not prove to be mutually advantageous, then this is no longer just.” (Epicurus, p.2, #37). Due to developmental factors, laws that once maximized a societies pleasure, may no longer do so. This leads to formation of new laws that in replacement to those laws are now beneficial in maximizing the societies happiness and pleasure. Furthermore, he goes on to say, “...but in its application to particular places or other circumstances the same thing is not necessarily just for everyone.” (Epicurus, p.2, #36). When analyzing societies, Epicurus does take into consideration many factors (tradition, location, etc) that may contribute to what is just in one society from another. He believes that what one society finds pleasurable, may not be for another and that their is no right or wrong way of defining justice. Therefore, in order for individuals to achieve utmost pleasure, they must abide laws and act justly as a society so that everyone is equally

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