Epicurus's Three Principles

Kosmos

Greek Philosopher, Epicurus has strong belief in universal settings and accounts for it very highly. Nothing stresses how strongly he feels about the universe more than his Three Principles. The first principle delves into the idea that nothing is created out of nothing. “For the primary signification of every term employed must be clearly seen, and ought to need no proving” (D.L., X, 38). The universe is created out of particles we know as atoms. Since these atomic particles join together to create the universe, Epicurus is essentially saying the atoms that the universe is composed of has always been in existence. If such elements didn’t always exist, then the possibility of any and everything emerging out of anything, would happen.

However, that is not the case because the one unchangeable thing about the kosmos are the atoms.

Atoms have and always remain the same. Then, there’s the second principle which states, nothing is destroyed into nothing. “And if that which disappears had been destroyed and become non-existent, everything would have perished, that into which that things were dissolved being non-existent” (D.L., X, 39). As straightforward as it is, the elements (the atoms) that the universe is made up of cannot be destroyed and vanish; rather it is destroyed and takes the form of something else. At some point, everything gets destroyed but it does not eradicate because if everything gets eradicated, nothing would ever exist. The third principle he talks about surrounds this concept that kosmos is ever same. “For outside the sum of things there is nothing which could enter into it and bring about the change” (D.L., X, 39). The kosmos are infinite. With that being said, it will never have beginning because it has always existed, nor will it ever have an end because nothing vanishes when it is destroyed; it becomes

something else.
Human Knowledge
Sense perception is the foundation for human knowledge. “Next, we must by all means stick to you sensations that is, simply to the present impressions whether of the mind or any criterion whatever, and similarly to our actual feelings” (D.L., X, 39). Sense perception is important because it enables an individual to use their past experiences to help maneuver through life. Sense perception is experienced through our senses and it gives rise to the fact that whatever is being experience is actuality and not something that we are imagining. Sense perception allows for assurance and for there to be something that can we refer to in the event there’s doubt. All knowledge depends on this idea of sense perception because it produces the reliability needed.
Confirmation is another enforcement of how knowledge of the kosmos and natural events are possible. The mind and reason are two distinct aspects that allows for the understanding of knowledge. “We must take into account as the end all that really exists and all clear evidence of sense to which we refer our opinions…” (D.L., X, 146). Our mind is what drives our senses. Meaning, the knowledge it is able to perceive is enforced through this idea of reasoning. If we seek the truth by way of reason, we are granting our mind the confirmation needed to comprehend how the kosmos, and natural world operates by enticing our senses to fulfill it’s craving for knowledge.
Nature of Human Being
The essential nature of being human being is to be free of pain and fear, and seek pleasure. As established, death is a major concern for human beings. To begin with ridding off pain and fear. It’s a challenge to eliminate the fears we have because it’s difficult to remove things that impart dismay and anxiety. However, discarding the fear of god’s intervention or not being able to experience pleasure, and even the fear of death, would subdue a life of happiness. The only way this can be done is by ensuring the soul and body stay align and not experience any pain.
It is natural for us to desire pleasurable things; it pleases our mind and body. Pleasure is the native good; the more we limit our pleasures, the better chance or possibility we have of experiencing happiness and pleasure. Yes, we wonder how limiting our pleasure make us happier when we feel being able to attain all our pleasure will make us happy. The reason is that when we limit our pleasure, we are reducing a greater endurance of pain since sometimes the consequences of desires are far greater than the endurance of the pleasure.
How Ought a Human Being Live His Life
To this very day, I question myself what life is because it’s definitely not the definition provided in the dictionary.

We are all brought into this world by our parents, and once we hit a certain age, we’re sent off on our own and expected to know what to do. Growing up, I don’t think any of us know what the perfect life is, but we do have different views on the “ideal” life we seek to live. As a regular individual, we’d think a human being should live a life of good. By that we mean to go to school to get an education, get a job, get married, and have kids. However, from a more philosophical view point projected by Epicurus, he provides a more rational standing on how a human being ought to live his life. In his letter, Epicurus states “course is of service to all who take up natural science…continuous energy…calm enjoyment of life” (D.L., X, 37). It can’t be more evident that Epicurus advocates that natural science or as we know, study of nature not only helps us live life, but to eliminate whatever fear is instilled in us. Epicurus makes it clear that the number one fear instilled in individuals is the fear of death. Death is a constant fear since we find joy and pleasure of being alive nor do we want to have to endure a painful death; hence we develop this fear. With death, we’re never sure what to expect. Meaning, death is feared because it can be painful and the fact that we’re not sure what to expect after death is very intimidating. Eliminating this anxiety would

bring about tranquility of the mind and soul, rest assure they will live a pleasurable life. Whatever worries and distress that they might have had, would’ve been alleviated once the installment of the fear of death has been removed.
Apart from just death, other fears include God’s intervention in our lives, pleasure, and pain. Such fears emphasize the need to understand the ways of natural science in order to conquer these fears. Beginning with the idea of God intervening in our lives, at first I was puzzled by this statement because I wasn’t too sure how God could really intervene, much less the intervention be a fear. Epicurus sort of categorizes Gods’ in their own state of being. “God is a living being immortal and blessed, according to the notion of God indicated by the common sense of mankind,” (D.L., X, 123) depicts how high God is accounted for. Nonetheless, because gods are immortal beings and are such a highly acclaimed, there’s the fear that whenever something wrong or sinful is performed, God will punish them. Where matters of pleasure is concerned, the inability to experience pleasure is what imbeds fear in an individual. “Pleasure is our first kindred good. It is the starting point of every choice and of every aversion…….pleasure is our first native good” (D.L., X, 129). The most accurate definition provided by Epicurus of the word “pleasure” is “the absence of pain in the body and trouble in the soul” (D.L., X, 132). We all seek to obtain pleasure because evidently it’s what enables us to live a good life. Although we seek pleasure, the issue with that is that we know that with some pleasure comes a greater endurance which isn’t necessarily positive. As a result, there’s a hindrance of wanting to attain the goal of pleasure. Last but not the least, we have pain. Who wouldn’t fear pain? I mean, if you don’t fear pain then you must be Superman. Pain is by far the worst thing one can endure or experience.
The four fears Epicurus speaks of throughout the letter play an important in how a human ought to live his or her life. It’s essential that those fears that are instilled in them be removed or forgotten about because it only corrupts one’s mind and disrupt their way of living. The only way that we can fully disregard the fears we have consumed is by understanding the natural science. It’s the only way to proceed to attaining absence of pain in the body and trouble in the soul. Through this we will establish contentment for to body which enables us to live the perceived life of the body being free of pain and the soul being relieved of disturbance.
As established already, the goal of life is to be free of pain in the body and disturbance of the soul. Epicurus also suggest man should live life by seeking security from other men. Security from other men provides a peace of mind. Why? Security puts us out of ways harm because we know there is constant competition when our neighboring bestow threats. “In order to obtain security from other men any means whatsoever of procuring this was a natural good” (D.L., X, 1411). To maintain a life of good and happiness, Epicurus proposes we live a life where we are isolated from those who seek to eliminate others based on this competition. From this we get peace of mind primarily since we don’t have to worry about being harmed and we limit ourselves from desiring too much which could bring about great pain.