Posts by dlippman

Quote from Cassius

Quote from dlippman

I find it fascinating that the ancient debate between Aristotle and Epicurus continues today in modern medicine—particularly in positive psychology's focus on Eudaimonia (Aristotle) vs Hedonia (Epicurus).

In addition with the problem of abstract ideals that you mentioned, I suspect that at least part of that debate still revolves around the question of what "happiness" really means. Just like "Virtue" being hard to define, it's much easier to understand happiness as pleasures predominating pains (each term broadly defined), than it is to try to itemize exactly what qualities "happiness" divorced from pleasure would really mean, or why they should be pursued.

Again great introduction and thank you for the kind words about the podcast.

This week's isn't going to be ready to post for several days, but we're entering a section of Tusculan Disputations that brings the Epicurean objections to the positions taken by Stoics and others on many emotional questions into sharp focus.

Cassius,

Thank you so much for the personal response. I look forward to the Tusculan Disputations!

Quote from Patrikios

Quote from dlippman

I find it fascinating that the ancient debate between Aristotle and Epicurus continues today in modern medicine—particularly in positive psychology's focus on Eudaimonia (Aristotle) vs Hedonia (Epicurus). Interestingly, several studies suggest Hedonia may offer more tangible mental health benefits—such as reduced anxiety, depression, and improved sleep—especially in times of stress.

Welcome to, dlippman

I too was a longtime LT podcast listener. So it’s an extra treat to see the faces on Zoom calls of the voices you’ve listened to from Cassius , Joshua , Kalosyni , and many others on LT recordings.

Regarding the different usages of the term “eudaimonia” by Aristotle and Epicurus, you should enjoy reading some of the papers by Christos Yapijakis (active medical professor teaching in Athens).

Quote

In the 4th century BCE, Aristotle of Stagira, son of physician Nicomachus, used the observation method of clinicians and spoke plainly about the unity of body and soul, grounding his ethical theory in human biology and becoming the first philosopher to speak extensively of eudaimonia (εὐδαιμονία, a blissful, prolonged, imperturbable state of happiness). Following the empirical observation method and the biological ethics of Aristotle, Epicurus the Athenian in the beginning of the 3rd century BCE considered philosophy as a means for a dynamic healing of the soul aiming at developing eudaimonia and dealt with the psychosomatic balance of human beings, which he called eustatheia (εὐστάθεια, stability) of the flesh and soul. While for Aristotle eudaimonia was the emotional action of a virtuous person, for Epicurus eudaimonia was a pleasurable condition in which there is no mental agitation (ἀταραξία, ataraxia) and no corporeal pain (ἀπονία, aponia). It is worth mentioning that Aristotle believed that the eudaimonic life is pleasant, because the virtuous person enjoys acting virtuously,8 while Epicurus proposed that a happy life cannot be achieved without virtue.9

Epicurean Stability (eustatheia): A Philosophical Approach of Stress Management

C. Yapijakis & G. P. Chrousos

Conatus 7, no. 2 (2022): 173-190 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/cjp.31769

Christos Yapijakis

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

E-mail address: cyapi@med.uoa.gr

George P. Chrousos

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

E-mail address: chrousge@med.uoa.gr

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Thank you for this great information!

Dear Good People

I've been a long-time listener of Lucretius Today and have greatly enjoyed the podcast. I'm an internal medicine physician and currently serve on the Board of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, which promotes six key pillars for chronic disease prevention: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, avoidance of risky substances, stress management, and social connection.

I find it fascinating that the ancient debate between Aristotle and Epicurus continues today in modern medicine—particularly in positive psychology's focus on Eudaimonia (Aristotle) vs Hedonia (Epicurus). Interestingly, several studies suggest Hedonia may offer more tangible mental health benefits—such as reduced anxiety, depression, and improved sleep—especially in times of stress.

For example, this recent 2024 study concludes: “An orientation toward pleasure may be the path to achieving mental health in the midst of stressful circumstances.”

https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5318/5/4/47#:~:text=The%20results%20showed%20that%20hedonia,;%20eudaimonia;%20stress;%20mental%20health

Despite this, many in medicine still emphasize Eudaimonia—perhaps overlooking the direct and observable benefits of Hedonia, which simply asks: What brings you joy, and how can you do more of it without harming others? In contrast, Eudaimonia often demands sacrifice for abstract ideals that may or may not bear fruit.

Finally, if you asked any physician today whether they believe in atoms, the answer would be yes. Yet Democritus and Epicurus arrived at this truth long ago by observing nature without preconception. In contrast, Plato and Aristotle imposed human judgment onto nature—giving us forms and essences, paths we now see as philosophically problematic.

Thanks again for your work—it continues to inspire thoughtful reflection. And most importantly, it's useful!

David