Epicurus's Materialism Research Paper

Epicurus’ atomism approach to life and reality is a materialistic one. In fact, Epicurus believed that only what is material is real, while all the rest is a simple product of the imagination of men. For instance, in his vision, the soul of a human being is made of atoms just like all other material things. He considered the soul the organ of perception from which sensation originates only when it works together with the rest of the human body. Furthermore, if the soul is material, when the body dies and decomposes, the soul dissipates with it, making every belief of life after death a false one. In fact, if there is no body to work with the soul, no sensations are possible, and no life after death is conceivable. Epicurus focused on this line of thinking to explain why human beings should not stress about the existence of Heaven and Hell after death because they are simply not possible as for they are product of the imagination. With an understanding of these concepts, it is easier to grasp Epicurus’ statement, “Thanks be to blessed Nature because she has made what is necessary easy to supply, and what is not easy unnecessary...The right understanding of these facts enables us to refer all choice and avoidance to the health of the body and the soul's freedom from disturbance, since this is the aim of the life of …show more content…
If a man is capable of seeking only those natural and necessary desires, while completely avoiding the vain ones, then serenity can be attained. Fear and vain desires are the greatest and tremendous enemies of happiness. For example, a man who craves more than the natural and necessary desires of his body, is a man who will never be satisfied and truly happy. Epicurus invited men to obey nature, rather than violate her, by repelling those desires which are not natural and would surely harm the human