What is the Meaning & Definition of Ataraxia
Peace of mind by the absence of pains and fears
In the field of philosophy, in which mostly used, is said to be the ataraxia tranquility of mind, or in their absence, the stiff upper lip of spirit of someone as a result of the absence of pains and fears.Epicureanism, stoicism and skepticism, major philosophical doctrines that spread it
We must say that this singular philosophical concept is the result of philosophical activity of organizations such as the Epicureanism and stoicism and skepticism-philosophical currents and movements, respectively.And especially the Organization of Epicureanism, whose purpose was precisely to achieve a happy existence through intelligent consequence of pleasures, is one which most strove in the development and expansion of the concept that we are discussing.
According to Epicureans, so called because they are those who follow faithfully the proposals of the renowned philosopher Epicurus of Samos Athenian, founder of the Epicureanism, and also to fans of other such as the Stoics and skeptics, philosophical currents the ataraxia is that provision of the mood thanks to which people reach emotional balance cherished, as It assumes a general State of overall well-being, i.e. not only the tranquility and stiff upper lip will reach to the mood, but also to the soul, feelings and reason.
As you read sounds attractive and certainly almost all want to achieve this welfare that provides us the ataraxia, but how-to not?...
How to achieve the ataraxia according to each school?
Decrease in the intensity of the passions and desires to strengthen the soul, for the epicureistas
According to what these Greek philosophers considered the ataraxia consists in decreasing the intensity of the passions and desires while who wins land will be the strength of the soul above adversity, situation that will finally culminate with happiness, which according to the three philosophical currents referred to above, is the most precious end reach, although We must emphasize that each one has its different approach to achieve this, i.e. for the three "schools" the ataraxia is the State that any individual should seek to achieve, however, each one has its own proposal.According to the teachings that Epicurus, there are two kinds of desires, the natural and necessary, that they are mostly related to survival, and on the other hand not necessary natural, which come from the culture and policy, i.e. the social life that plays a person. Epicurus argued firmly the satisfaction of all desires is what will bring the person finally happiness, however, this important presence during the 4th century BC philosopher believed that there are some wishes that unfortunately they are vain and that on the contrary, they will cause great pain that it will overshadow the initial pleasure and obviously we will move away from the ataraxia. Then and take account of this issue is that Epicurus held and promoted the philosophy was the only way and the only way towards the ataraxia.
The way that the Stoics
Meanwhile the Stoics proposed another way, that is the virtue. According to these, it is to adapt the own desires to the rationality of nature, learning to discern what things depend on us and what not and away from the latter which are which ultimately uneasy soul and therefore we divert the ataraxia.The skeptical proposal
By the side of the skeptics, whose main guiding idea is that there is no absolute truth, but rather everything depends on man and your senses and will be starting from doubt, doubting everything, that will be real happiness and State of ataraxiaThree different ways of accessing the same State, now well, more sensible and logical is that everyone try alternative feels better or what considers most suitable according to your way of being.