The Epicurean Calculus of Pleasure

Epicurus' ethics is often misunderstood as an invitation to indulgence, but he explicitly rejected that reading. He divided desires into three kinds: natural and necessary, such as food, shelter and friendship; natural but unnecessary, such as luxurious food; and empty desires, such as fame, power or unlimited wealth, which have no natural limit and can never be satisfied. A wise person satisfies the first, enjoys the second when they come easily, and rejects the third.

He also distinguished active pleasures, like eating, from the stable pleasure of being free from pain, which he valued more. Sometimes we should accept pain for greater pleasure later, or reject pleasures that bring greater pain. Friendship, he said, is the greatest means to a happy life. Critics accused Epicureans of selfishness and withdrawing from public duty, since Epicurus advised 'live unnoticed', but his followers saw this as a recipe for genuine contentment.