Living for Pleasure: An Epicurean Guide to Life and pictures

November 29, 2025

Living for Pleasure: An Epicurean Guide to Life and pictures

I have finished Living for Pleasure An Epicurean Guide to Life by Emily Austin. It was designed to defend Epicurus against those who thought he was only about self pleasure. She defended him against critics who thought he was an atheist, that he did not believe in having children, that he and others who practiced Epicurism as hedonists who seek to only please themselves and live selfishly. Throughout the book, she discusses modern day life events and use Epicurean text to back the thought, to give more or a different perspective. I am writing this blog today because I did not want to just read this book and mark it off a little list or put it on my list of books that I read. I want to make sure that I am remembering and applying to things I learn in this book. While I do understand some fiction books I read will not be able to be written as "meaningful things I have learned" I will like to maybe make a list of quotes that move me. Thus brings me to this blog, I am going to bullet the list and maybe explain, why if I can, why these things from Living in Pleasure moved me.

Before I begin, I will write a small introduction about who Epicurus was. Epicurus (341 B.C - 270 B.C) was a Hellenistic period philosopher, denies gods' intervening in humans lives (materialism), an ethical philosopher.

Subjective vs objective happiness. Subjective happiness is feelings. Refers to how individuals experience and evaluate their lives specific aspects. Objective happiness a moment based measure of well being that focuses on the effective state of an individual. I am moved by this because I often wonder how I feel about happiness if we all experience happiness the same. I am sometimes unnerved by how I feel content but never truly happy.
Direct pleasure vs indirect pleasure. Direct pleasure is low hanging fruit according to Epicurus. If I had to apply that idea to my life I will think about how I indulge in things I did not find good for me going after whatever I want. I want to stop going have all my instantaneous gratification. Indirect pleasure requires more time, more patient. Instead of shaking the tree that bares the fruit and hoping something falls, someone could build a ladder to always make sure that they are able to grab the fruit. (Patience is a virtue). I am seeking pleasure that require work. I would like to build the ladder for the tree that bears the fruit. I seek to take this idea and apply it to my romantic relationships in particular. I do not mind hookup culture but I am seeking another boyfriend (SOONISH not right now maybe start dating mid-2026).
Desire - Natural and necessary, natural and unnecessary and unnatural and unnecessary. Unnatural and unnecessary desires are considered corrosive desires (like wanting more money, more power, more fame). Natural and unnecessary stop us for receiving tranquility in our lives. Natural and necessary desires are like food, water, shelter. I had on my list the whole chapter 5 because it bares the questions that I am never truly honest about: WHAT DO YOU DESIRE? I have lived and am I going to live a life unfulfilled?
In the book the author brings up "Failure of Kindness" by George Saunders a point I have bought up in a pervious blog that I do not remember what it was titled but I am sure if I go through my archives I'll find it. The idea of the "Failure of Kindness" is about showing kindness to those around you that he he reminisces about a past experience he had as young kid. In this commencement speech he talks about a young girl Ellen who was bullied by their classmates and he shrunk back responded mildly. In this speech he says to the graduated class to respond with kindness not mildly but aloud. Be kind to yourselves and to others.
The Status Test: which is if you work on a project but you are not recognized are you okay with that?
Death is a natural limit on unlimited desires thus is why Epicurus does not / did not like the idea of immortality. To Epicurus people who desire immortality are unsatisfied and filled with anxiety.
How does tranquility look like for me?
Epicurus/Epicureans believes that you should not be "worst case scenario" instead of prepare for misfortunes by living pleasantly with friends.
Who are we when no one is looking?
Intelligence is/can be a conditional good because intent matters. If you or someone uses intelligence to be rude then intelligence can be seen as something bad.
Geeko's Challenge: greed is natural, greed is advantageous, and greed takes many forms. I want to remember this because I thought it was an interesting challenge and greed can take many forms even forms that may be new to us.
the Paris exception - is like a little fun saying that someone can use if they are vegetarian but then they indulge in meat a little bit or wine at a party.
How to have better open / honest dialogue?
Epicurean / Epicurus does not believe in karma. Supernatural forces do not play a part in life decision making.
What Epicurean philosophy ideas can I put into practice? Read: Letter to Menoceus, Principal Doctrine and Vatican Sayings
Write an Epicurean like text on an emotion you struggle with.
Epicurean advice: ask ourselves to questions: What will happen if I get this or what will happen if I don't?
Epicureans consider reciprocity, mutual desire, concern and shared values the bedrock of friendships.

I underlined, post it noted and wrote in the margins words that I did not know, ideas that came to mind, researched philosophers who I have not heard of in Living in pleasure. I chose this book randomly because I am interested and curious on how others think we should live. As I continue my path down the philosophy rabbit hole I hope to continue to ponder how can I implement what I am reading.

This was a long blog and it might be my last one until December 1. I found a 31 day journaling prompt for December that I want to do. I am going to go to some upper body strength workout and enjoy the rest of my evening. Nothing extraordinary happened today and today is cinema Saturday but I was not able to find movies to watch or that I was curious about. I watched: The Materialists (terrible), Final Destination: Bloodlines (made me paranoid) and Miracle on 34th Street. This was not my best Cinema Saturday. Secondly as I reflect this month it was decent, good not depressing or entirely that stressful.