Epicurus defines pleasure as nothing more than the elimination of pain. If a person can attain a mental state without pain, they have achieved a state of pleasure. Therefore, Epicurus holds that individuals experience the greatest pleasure after all suffering has been eliminated (Voorhoeve, 2020). This implies pure, genuine pleasure is experienced in the absence of pain. Besides, hedonists support this claim by indicating that the only thing an individual wants for their own sake is pleasure (Augustin, 2021). As a result, this essay will argue for Epicurus’s claim that the greatest pleasure is perceived once all pain has been removed. Consequently, individuals maintain their drives to seek pleasure, and by seeking pleasure, they maintain their desire to escape pain. Therefore, the greatest pleasure exists in the complete removal of pain.
In a way, hedonism has two components: people seek pleasure for their own sake, or pleasure and the avoidance of suffering are the only things one desire for their reason. The foundation of one’s desires is pleasure and pain prevention, even if the second component is more contentious (Augustin, 2021). Yet, to investigate this, it is necessary first to define pleasure and pain. Following the rules of thermodynamics, there is no such thing as cold, just the lack of heat; similarly, pain is only the absence of pleasure. Consequently, there must be a total lack of pain to enjoy the highest pleasure genuinely. Based on the above description, if one is in a condition of balance between pleasure and pain, they are in a neutral position and not in pain or enjoying pleasure (Voorhoeve, 2020). In addition, if the greatest pleasure can only be felt without suffering, then the greatest misery can only be felt in the absence of both. The greatest pain would thus be the whole lack of pleasure since the definition of pain is the absence of pleasure.
In addition, according to hedonistic principles, a happy life provides maximum pleasure. As Epicurus says, “we sometimes forego many pleasures when they result in a larger amount of pain for us” (Rider, 2020, p. 300). Hence, hedonism cannot apply in explaining drug usage or other forms of addiction and vices (Augustin, 2021). This is because many extreme bodily experiences might result in suffering; if they do, such pleasures should be avoided. Nonetheless, it is possible to seek out pain if it leads to pleasure or less pain. For instance, many have surgery to alleviate chronic pain. In the case of knee replacement surgery, for example, the pain after healing will be more acute than the pain that prompted the operation. Still, it will heal over time, while the pain previous to the surgery would not have cured without treatment. Consequently, to live the most pleasurable life possible, people must pursue pleasures and pains that would improve their lifelong pleasure (Wilson, 2018). Based on these considerations, it is fair to assert that an individual can obtain the greatest pleasure when all suffering has been eliminated.
Moreover, it is essential to notice that Epicurus does not simply speak to physical discomforts, such as toothache. Pain, in his view, is any unpleasant experience that prevents one from being at ease (Wilson, 2018). This might be a toothache, but it could simply be hunger, thirst, or fatigue. It may also refer to worry, such as the fear of losing one’s employment. These are all causes of pain, with fear being the most significant of these factors. Everyone is scared of little things, such as dark hallways at night, and larger things, such as losing loved ones in an accident, developing an incurable illness, and dying (Austin, 2020). It suffices to say that those with such anxieties will not be happy, and they must be able to eliminate all fear and worry before experiencing pleasure (Austin, 2020). Consequently, it is accurate to argue that the limit of pleasure is eliminating all pain, including but not limited to physical pain.
Similarly, the level of pleasure fluctuates owing to the presence of pain. Based on the concept of pain as the lack of pleasure, various pleasures are not as intense as others because of pain. One need not necessarily be in pain to experience pain. The key is figuring out the greatest pleasure and how to tell the difference between above-average pleasure and the highest possible pleasure. For instance, if the pain is felt, despite the degree of pain, it is not the greatest pleasure (Voorhoeve, 2020). Nevertheless, if there is pain, which, by definition, is the exclusion of pleasure, there is still the chance of experiencing greater pleasure. Hence, if there is the prospect of experiencing further pleasure, it is not the highest pleasure (Voorhoeve, 2020). It is possible to experience pain and pleasure simultaneously because individuals spend their whole lives in a condition of balance between pleasure and pain. An injured ankle, for instance, may be a source of agony, but if one is eating their favorite dish, they may still be having a pleasant experience. In this case, if the ankle is well and there is no pain, one may feel the greatest pleasure.
In addition, the greatest pleasure is not determined by the level of various bodily pleasures but by eliminating suffering. Research argues that the lack of pain does not produce pleasure, but the consciousness of its absence does (Wilson, 2018). This is false since individuals need not be conscious of the lack of pain to recognize pleasure. According to the meanings of both pain and pleasure, they are mutually exclusive (Voorhoeve, 2020). In a kind of symbolic tug-of-war, pain and pleasure converge. In the case of the pleasure that follows the completion of exams, for example, this pleasure is felt because of the elimination of pain. Here, awareness is not required for someone to experience pleasure. As a counterexample, individuals seek counseling to comprehend why they experience specific pains. A person’s subconscious might be the source of their misery, meaning they are ignorant of its cause (Wilson, 2018). People seek therapy to determine the basis of their discomfort and eliminate it. If someone may be oblivious yet experience pain, the reverse holds for pleasure. Hence, it is impossible to experience the greatest pleasure or pain; however, the degree of pain might be minor or nonexistent, and perfect ecstasy is outside the horizon of human experience for the greatest joy. Individuals will always experience pain to some extent (Wilson, 2018). According to hedonism, one should aspire to live the most enjoyable life possible, even if the ultimate pleasure is unattainable.
Others claim that pleasure is only felt when contrasted with pain. They argue that hunger-promoting AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus affect taste; tastes are stronger, sweeter, and saltier when hungry (Voorhoeve, 2020). Hunger is not a pleasant sensation; on the contrary, it is painful. Yet, bodily hunger increases the mental enjoyment of eating. By evaluating the relationship between hunger and the pleasure of eating, one might infer that hunger (pain) enhances flavor (pleasure). Hence, the reasoning that the absence of pain results in ultimate pleasure does not hold in this instance. If humans lived in a world devoid of pain, they would not value pleasure; gold is only valued owing to its scarcity. Humans value various levels of pleasure after feeling pain, which is why they value taste more when hungry. This is why they value blankets more when it is chilly. Similarly, loneliness increases their appreciation for companionship. If humans were born without the capacity to experience pain, pleasure would be natural; nevertheless, they would not be conscious of their pleasure (Voorhoeve, 2020). One needs to experience pain to have a satisfying life; otherwise, one cannot gauge the degree of their level of pleasure. Pleasure would be different without pain. Humans can determine the intensity of pleasure and pain since they continually experience both. A world without pain dulls individuals to the sensation of genuine, incontestable pleasure.
Nonetheless, a person cannot experience human life without pain and pleasure. Regarding the case of hunger making eating more pleasant, the pain was experienced before eating. Although the contrast between hunger and satiety heightens pleasure, there is no hunger after a meal. This is because the craving for food has been satisfied. It is more enjoyable since there is no longer any hunger or pain. Masochists might be a counterexample, but they are useless because each person defines pain differently; if one derives pleasure from something, it cannot be suffering. For instance, although some may consider scrapping the skin of the lips painful, others find it fulfilling and delightful since it is a reflex action (Voorhoeve, 2020). Consequently, the pleasures above are those that alleviate the pain being experienced. One feels pleasure after eating, after being wrapped in a blanket, and after the feeling of loneliness has passed. In these instances, there was the need for the absence of pain to experience the indicated pleasure. According to Rider (2020, p. 301), Epicurus asserted that “natural and essential desires are those that alleviate pain.” According to this view, the pleasures above result from natural and essential desires. The pain itself had no effect on the pleasure experienced. It was the eradication of pain that made pleasure possible via relief.
An earlier counterargument was that pleasure could not exist without suffering. However, in a more biological and literal sense, the National Institute of Health asserted that individuals with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) could not experience pain (Wilson, 2018). The nerves that cause pain are not adequately linked to the parts of the brain that receive pain signals. Despite being unable to sense physical pain, some individuals may experience physical pleasure. Unlike pain, which is transmitted by nerves, pleasure is produced through the body’s dopamine release (Voorhoeve, 2020). For instance, when individuals feel love for someone and caress their arms or embrace them, it’s the dopamine that’s generated that makes the connection so pleasurable. However, this is not always the case for physical pleasure, as sensory neurons are responsible for the sensation of physical pleasures such as taste (Wilson, 2018). Yet, the notion that it is impossible to have pleasure without first experiencing pain is erroneous. This is because, according to Epicurus, pain does not lead to pleasure; rather, the elimination of all pain does.
In conclusion, whenever individuals generate desires, whether conscious of it or not, they are motivated by a desire to experience a pleasure. Based on the hedonistic view, people are compelled to pursue as much pleasure as possible to live the good life. However, people must learn the risks and benefits of each pursuit of pleasure since some of the greatest joys are produced by substances that also provide suffering that is more painful than the desired pleasure. Thus, one must seek out situations that provide more joy than suffering. Attempting to attain maximum pleasure is impossible if there is any pain present. Each experiences pain in a unique way. Others perceive physical pain to be unpleasant, yet others find it pleasurable. Because of this, one cannot experience the greatest pleasure while something that a person personally defines as pain is present. Others may counter that suffering is necessary for pleasure to exist. However, pleasure does not originate from the presence of pain. In the same way, pleasure occurs in the absence of pain; pain persists in the lack of pleasure. Thus, it is inevitable that humans will constantly endure pain. Pain is an integral part of the human experience. Hence, after defining pleasure and pain, I assert that the highest pleasure arises when all pain is eliminated.
References
Augustin, M. J. (2021). Health and Hedonism in Plato and Epicurus. In K. E. Arenson (Ed), Ancient Philosophy, 41(2), 578-583. Web.
Austin, E. (2020). Epicurus on Sense-Experience and the Fear of Death. In K.E. Arenson (Ed), the Routledge Handbook of Hellenistic Philosophy (pp. 171-183). Routledge.
Rider, B. A. (2020). Epicureans on Pleasure, Desire, and Happiness. In K. E. Arenson (Ed), the Routledge Handbook of Hellenistic Philosophy (pp. 295-306). Routledge.
Voorhoeve, A. (2018). VIII—Epicurus on Pleasure, a Complete Life, and Death. In G. Longworth (Ed), Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 118(3), 225-253. Oxford University Press. Web.
Wilson, C. (2018). Epicurus and the meaning of life. In S. Leach & J. Tartaglia (Eds), the Meaning of Life and the Great Philosophers (pp. 65-72). Routledge.