What does achieving pleasure mean for Epicurus?

Achieving pleasure for Epicurus is deeply connected to the idea of cultivating discipline and making thoughtful choices about which pleasures to pursue. Epicurus believed that not all pleasures are beneficial in the long run. Therefore, he advocated for a measured approach, where individuals should prioritize simple, sustainable pleasures and avoid overindulgence, which can lead to pain or suffering.

By emphasizing discipline and the importance of abstaining from excessive sensual pleasures, Epicurus argued that true happiness comes from a calm and tranquil life, where one seeks intellectual and aesthetic delights, as well as the pleasure that comes from friendship and philosophical contemplation. This careful consideration prevents the chaos that can arise from a life dedicated to hedonistic excess and promotes a more stable and fulfilling sense of happiness.