RE: Neo-Epicurean Life Hacks
November 9, 2014 at 11:35 pm
(This post was last modified: November 9, 2014 at 11:36 pm by Mequa.)
(November 9, 2014 at 10:46 pm)bennyboy Wrote: Okay, so given the OP "Life Hacks," which implies a method for improving some or all of my life: HOW SHOULD I LIVE?If you decide to choose something like Epicurean hedonism to implement, you can start by identifying which skills would be most expedient towards your long-range happiness, following empirical research in this area, and practically implement those skills.
Epicurus suggested practising the four cardinal virtues of Prudence, Self-Control, Fortitude, and Justice, not for their praiseworthiness but for their utility towards individual well-being and happiness. Prudence here is the root from which other virtues emerge, like branches of a tree.
So, for example, if you've identified a necessary desire of having more quality friendship, you can practice the virtues of being a good friend so that you can more effectively meet your social needs, out of prudence towards your own long-term individual well-being and happiness. This kind of hedonistic virtue ethics has large application. It ultimately comes down to identifying relevant skills and strengths based on utility (including those conventional morality categorises as virtuous), taking into account your individual needs and disposition, before developing them.
Or you could create your own philosophy. I've made the argument before that the reliance of natural faculties in Epicurus' epistemology undermines the authority of Epicurus himself, and hence of Epicurean dogma. It's ultimately about following your own lights guided by both intellect (the use of wisdom gained from experience) and natural instinct (hence towards pleasure). I find this standard a useful antidote to nihilism.
It is interesting though that you seem to desire spoon-feeding ("HOW SHOULD I LIVE?") when this methodology, used correctly, implies a hefty amount of thinking for oneself.
Consider the utility of the right kind of wisdom towards long-term personal pleasure over pain. Consider what it would take to respect your own dignity enough to live as your own end, and make that goal your personal summum bonum.
