A Comparison of Contemporary American Notions of Happiness to the Epicu

People who atomic number 18 viewed as beaming in our refining today be also seen as being rich, having a pleasant family, and a great occupation. Our society is attracted to material things, rather than spiritual ones. post a person who does not contrive many possessions and an elevated amicable position stillness live a happy life? Epicurus believed that for each one one of us could achieve true happiness, and our only problem is that we obdurately search for it in all the wrong places. Epicurus states that we only need trine things to be happy besides the essentials needed for survival friends, freedom, and an analyzed life. I will be comparing contemporary Ameri enkindle notions of happiness to the sonsie view.In our contemporary American life we have the desire for things that we do not really need to make us happy. Our commercial initiation intends to sell us substitutes for the things we truly need in order to be happy. We replace our real needs with thin gs like clothing, furniture, cars, nice houses, and many another(prenominal) unessential items. Many individuals place the blame for an unhappy lifestyle on their occupation, and search out alternatives such as material items. We atomic number 18 happy when we receive things fast, because of our lack of patience, and because we simply enjoy the hassle free lifestyle. Our technical advances have made many things easy for us and it brings us several(prenominal) joy. Examples include that we rather drive than walk, and eat from unhealthy fast intellectual nourishment restaurants than cook a meal ourselves. We see advertisements everywhere selling us products to make us happy, however the happiness from sex, food, and excitement are pleasures that are short lived. If we took away all unnecessary items for survival from our society today, could we still be happy? ... ...death, and the supernatural. Money cannot buy you analyzed thoughts about your life, or help you cope with the emo tional effects of illness or death. Epicureans are looking for peace and freedom from fear and pain. Pleasure is how human beings can sense they are doing something right. I believe that a simpler life in general would help people live a happier lifestyle. We must have the essential needs for survival however the unnecessary materialistic items are not needed and cannot bring happiness. We all can benefit from invigoration a more Epicurean life, and we should take their advice to focus on friendship, independence, and persuasion rationally. BibliographyLetter to Menoeceus, http//www.epicurus.net/en/menoeceus.htmlLetter to Idomeneus, http//www.epicurus.net/en/idomeneus.htmlLetter to Herodotus, http//www.epicurus.net/en/herodotus.html