Choice and Avoidance (Hairesis kai Phyge)

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  • Every choice and every avoidance, Epicurus says, is referred to pleasure and pain. Not every pleasure is to be chosen, nor every pain avoided: we weigh them against each other and judge by their consequences.

    Greek αἵρεσις καὶ φυγή (hairesis kai phygē)

    1. Key Texts

    Quote from Epicurus, Letter to Menoeceus 129 (Judging Pleasures By Calculation, Not By Rule)

    However, we have to make our judgment on all these points by a calculation and survey of advantages and disadvantages. For at certain times we treat the good as bad and conversely the bad as good. (tr. Long & Sedley)

    2. See Also

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