Evolutionary Psychology and "Happiness"

Quote from Kalosyni

I apologize that I'm a bit unclear regarding whether you were making remarks regarding the article or whether you we saying what you yourself think is true.

I think it is true.

Quote from Kalosyni

but the emphasis here on the forum is "what would Epicurus say" )

I actually don't see how or where Epicurus would refute that both anxiety and happiness are illusions, or are illusory. I think we fool ourselves constantly both as far as fears as well as what results from our behavior in a good way. Some illusions are bad, and some are good.

And honestly, I'm not seeking a continuing debate into prior or additional rather extreme counter examples one might throw out which move off of the point I was trying to make. I respect your right to differ. It's all good, as they say.

The distinction between "pleasure" and "happiness" seems like it might be relevant to this conversation we're having about illusion and storytelling.

Happiness concepts might be illusory, but a warm bowl of pho brings actual, physical pleasure (if you like pho, of course). And if I get bitten by a snake, it's going to actually hurt. These are true sensations and not just invented narratives.

I think Matteng made a similar point earlier, suggesting that Epicureanism has a more robust response to evolutionary determinism, compared to Stoicism for example.

If this line of argument is correct, it would be a reason to question formulations of Epicureanism (such as Gassendi's) that frame the telos as happiness rather than pleasure.