Epicurus believes that happiness is the ultimate goal in life. Dr. Hunter “Patch” Adams, played by Robin Williams in Patch Adams, a film about a medical student who suffers from depression, also shares that idea. Although differing in reasons, the philosophies of Dr. Patch Adams ad Epicurus coincide: happiness is obtained through simple pleasures, a life of wisdom is acquired through nonconformity, and death should not be feared. According to both Epicurus and Patch, a life filled with content is sought through the harmony of the body and the world, as well as appreciating the small delights of life. In “Letter to Menoeceus”, Epicurus advises his audience to “[secure] health of body and tranquility of mind, seeing that this is the sum
…show more content…
However, in the movie Patch Adams, Dr. Hunter Patch believes that the greatest good in life is specifically laughter and being a supportive friend in times of need. His greatest pleasure is knowing that he made someone’s day or life better, simply by making that person laugh, and that is all he needs to live a happy life. Likewise, Dr. Adams and Epicurus also trust that a life abundant with wisdom can only be obtained through nonconformity. In the beginning of the film, Dr. Patch is a self-admitted suicidal man in a mental hospital. While there, he meets another patient by the name of Arthur Mendelson, known as the patient who goes berserk when he holds up four fingers and asks other patients, “How many do you see?”, and people respond with the number four. He starts shouting, “You are all crazy, it is not four!” One night, Patch visits Arthur and Arthur asks him how many fingers he sees, and Patch responds with the usual answer of the number four. To that, Arthur tells him, “No, no! Look beyond the fingers! Now tell me how many you see.” To that, Patch answers with the number eight. Delighted, Arthur advises him, “You’re focusing on the problem. If you focus on the problem, you can’t see the …show more content…
During his medical trial, he asks the Dean, “What’s wrong with death sir? What are we so mortally afraid of? Why can’t we treat death with a certain amount of humanity and dignity, and decency, and God forbid, maybe even humor. Death is not the enemy gentleman.” Just like Epicurus, he does not comprehend why people are so afraid of dying and even death itself. There is simply nothing to be afraid of, which is the idea that Epicurus shares. Epicurus further explains and elaborates on death in his article. He states that “death is nothing to us” (Epicurus 126). He thinks “foolish…is the man who says that he fears death, not because it will pain when it comes, but because it pains in the prospect” (126), and that death is “the most awful of evils” (127). He believes the dead will not be pained when their life ceases, therefore, there is no need to be afraid. In conclusion, our collation of Dr. Patch Adams’s and Epicurus’s standpoint of the good life is quite similar, but with different supporting evidence. While Epicurus’s views general, Dr. Adams’s are specific. In the eyes of both, the good life is full of little infinities, wisdom and courage. Their word of advice is to be pleased with less, appreciate the people and the world around you, and see the world in a different perspective. Then, and only then, will you be truly
However, in the movie Patch Adams, Dr. Hunter Patch believes that the greatest good in life is specifically laughter and being a supportive friend in times of need. His greatest pleasure is knowing that he made someone’s day or life better, simply by making that person laugh, and that is all he needs to live a happy life. Likewise, Dr. Adams and Epicurus also trust that a life abundant with wisdom can only be obtained through nonconformity. In the beginning of the film, Dr. Patch is a self-admitted suicidal man in a mental hospital. While there, he meets another patient by the name of Arthur Mendelson, known as the patient who goes berserk when he holds up four fingers and asks other patients, “How many do you see?”, and people respond with the number four. He starts shouting, “You are all crazy, it is not four!” One night, Patch visits Arthur and Arthur asks him how many fingers he sees, and Patch responds with the usual answer of the number four. To that, Arthur tells him, “No, no! Look beyond the fingers! Now tell me how many you see.” To that, Patch answers with the number eight. Delighted, Arthur advises him, “You’re focusing on the problem. If you focus on the problem, you can’t see the …show more content…
During his medical trial, he asks the Dean, “What’s wrong with death sir? What are we so mortally afraid of? Why can’t we treat death with a certain amount of humanity and dignity, and decency, and God forbid, maybe even humor. Death is not the enemy gentleman.” Just like Epicurus, he does not comprehend why people are so afraid of dying and even death itself. There is simply nothing to be afraid of, which is the idea that Epicurus shares. Epicurus further explains and elaborates on death in his article. He states that “death is nothing to us” (Epicurus 126). He thinks “foolish…is the man who says that he fears death, not because it will pain when it comes, but because it pains in the prospect” (126), and that death is “the most awful of evils” (127). He believes the dead will not be pained when their life ceases, therefore, there is no need to be afraid. In conclusion, our collation of Dr. Patch Adams’s and Epicurus’s standpoint of the good life is quite similar, but with different supporting evidence. While Epicurus’s views general, Dr. Adams’s are specific. In the eyes of both, the good life is full of little infinities, wisdom and courage. Their word of advice is to be pleased with less, appreciate the people and the world around you, and see the world in a different perspective. Then, and only then, will you be truly