Running head: THE HEDONISTS, CYNICS AND STOICS

Topic #3: The Hedonists, Cynics and Stoics

Alvin Phung
PHIL-1000-002-Su16
AAB 324

THE HEDONISTS, CYNICS AND STOICS

The Hedonists, Cynics and Stoics

In the Western World, finding true happiness is virtually everyones major goal. Ever
since ancient times, people attempt to make guides to a happy life. In the classical themes of
philosophy, three major kinds of philosophies attempt this. They are the hedonists, cynics, and
stoics. In this paper, we will discuss and compare each of these philosophies of happiness. And
by doing this, we will clarify what it means to be happy, and how. Although understanding these
philosophies will not guarantee the reader true happiness, this will open up options and
opportunities in the quest for happiness. We will go over each philosophy in detail, giving
examples, and comparing and contrasting along the way.
Hedonists
Hedonism is the most recognizable philosophy of happiness, even in the present day
Western World. A philosophy labeled as hedonism says that happiness comes from pursuing
pleasures and avoiding pain (Soccio p.188). Soccio (p.188) gives a good example of how this is
evident even at birth. A baby coos to show happiness when fed and receives attention, but cries
in discomfort when not. A hedonist would use this statement as evidence in their philosophy.
That at birth, it is already known that pleasures make us happy and that this is not taught. But a
hedonist believes that only certain pleasures will grant you true happiness.
Cyrenaic hedonism is a type of hedonism created by Aristippus. This philosophy claims
that the purpose to life is pursuing intense and accessible pleasures. Since these satisfactions are
easier and faster to achieve, they can be practiced many times. Aristippus suggests that because
of this, our goal in life should revolve around these pleasures. These can include drugs, sex,
television, Internet, and video games. But the person themselves determines what pleasures are

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most desirable. Aristippus indicates that satisfactions should not be influenced by moral views.
And only in moderation can your tolerances for pleasures stay constant.
Founded by Epicurus, epicurean hedonism took a different approach to happiness. He had
a school called the Garden in Athens. The Garden, during his time period, was seen as dangerous
and extreme. This was because he let anyone, regardless of race, sex, and social status, to come
learn his philosophy. This is a place where people were treated as equals. These people were
taught how to be fully developed through certain desires, but not just any. Epicurus says that we
must find the finest of pleasures. And these pleasures usually come with pains to achieve. These
can include becoming proficient at a skill, getting an education, and long-term relationships.
Aristippus asserts that pleasures given by out senses are most intense. These sensations
also do not change identity over time compared to emotional ones. Your idea of emotional
happiness may change overtime while you spend years to get it. Therefore immediate and intense
pleasures are superior.
Epicurus on the other hand, wanted the highest quality of enjoyment. These are pleasures
that take time, self-discipline, and have a price to pay to get. He argues that these will lead to true
happiness. He also believed that death was a neutral in of itself. This was because he saw life as
an opportunity to achieve great delights. But Aristippus saw death as negative. Because it meant
that the quantity of pleasures were at an end.
Cynics
Founded by Antisthenes, Cynicism was more radical and short-lived than hedonism.
According to Soccio, Cynicism is a philosophy based on the belief that the very essence of
civilization is corrupt and that civilization destroys individuals by making them soft and subject
to the whims of fortune (p.193). Inspired by Socratess lifestyle, and less so his philosophy,

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Antisthenes found a school called the Cynosarges (Soccio p.193). The cynics were a unique
group of practitioners. Their extreme lifestyle and behavior prove them to be strong-willed,
independent, and remarkable, if a little crazy. Plato describes Diogenes, a famous advocate of
cynicism, as, A Socrates gone mad (Diogenes Laertius, Book 6, Chapter 54).
Diogenes is well known the world of cynicism because of how he practiced it. His
philosophy, although extreme, conveys cynicism. Cynics disdain themselves and others of
wealth, power, and social status. They believed these characteristics make one dependent and
weak, and one who pursues them dishonest, hypocritical, and corrupt. Some cynics even believe
in egoism, the belief that people are only motivated by self-interest. Diogenes showed that he
didnt need anything to be happy and was shameless. Soccio (p.193) mentioned he lived in a
wine barrel near the beach and once said, When I saw a child drinking from his hand, I threw
away my cup. Acts that were not shameful in private, Diogenes would do in public. He would
do indecencies from eating in the marketplace to masturbating in public (Piering, para. 9). And
he would carry a lit lamp in broad daylight saying to people, I am looking for a honest man
(Diogenes Laertius, Book 6).
The cynics avoided conventional lives and people. To them, happiness came from selfcontrol over your attitudes and desires. Compared to hedonists, a cynics philosophy on
happiness is totally the opposite. Hedonists practice pleasures that rely on, or at least can include,
social activity, sensations, and wealth. To a cynic, they do not need these to be happy. Even the
level of self-discipline of Epicureanism is inadequate to a cynic. Although cynicism was not
popular and short-lived, Stoicism borrowed notions from this philosophy.
Stoicism

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Founded by Zeno, stoicism is the philosophy that counsels self-control, detachment, and
acceptance of ones fate as identified by the objective use of reason (Soccio, p.187). The stoics
believed in Logos, which can be referred to as natural order, universal reason, God, or fate.
Logos is how the universe functions and causes the events that happen in life. The stoics
believed that frustration over Logos is impractical. Frustration over events, or simply trying to
control inconveniences, that are caused by Logos is futile. Stoics believe that these
inconveniences are part of an important plan, or what keeps order. Therefore for a stoic, it is
wiser to focus your attention on the task, not on complaining.
So how does a stoic become happy? Happiness, according to stoics, comes from being
like Logos as much as possible and being rational. Therefore events that happen in life are
neither good nor bad. Logos cannot be controlled but you can control your attitudes towards
what Logos delivers. Happiness can also be achieved by accepting what Logos gives us. Stoics
believe we are not entitled to anything, even a fully working body or good parents. And if we are
given such responsibilities, we must do our part, whether it is being a good parent or a good
citizen.
One of the iconic Stoics was Epictetus. His life from being a slave to a sage completely
conveys a life of a Stoic. He learned the philosophy of stoicism since he was a young slave. As a
slave, he had not control over his freedom and what would happen to him. He realized that the
only thing that he could control was his attitude toward his fate. The slave even remained stoical
at the fact that he was permanently crippled from torture. Later in life, as a free man, he did not
care for luxury. He had subpar home and belongings. But he was still kind to people and loved to
teach others. Like epicurean hedonism, Epictetus believed that everything is earned. He suggests

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that instead of becoming envious of others, we must control our attitude. We must understand
that people have to earn what we find envious.
Another important stoic was Marcus Aurelius. Marcus had the burden of becoming
emperor. Being a stoic, he is labeled as a philosopher-king. But people took advantage of him
regardless of his peaceful nature. He had gained many enemies, betrayed and mocked by his
generals and soldiers, and married an untrustworthy wife. Marcus also lost four of his five sons
and the surviving one rumored to be not even his own blood (Class notes, Chapter 7). But after
enduring all of this, Marcus was still merciful and kind. He pardoned the family of the betraying
general and stayed loyal to his wife. During all of this he remained stoical, even during his final
military campaign where he died of exhaustion.
Compared to hedonists, stoics do not believe happiness comes from seeking pleasures
and avoiding painful experiences. They instead believe that control over you emotions lead to
avoidable unhappiness. Stoics may be able to be happy in any situation however dramatic. This
seems similar to cynics. Cynics indeed influenced stoics in that control over attitudes constitutes
happiness. But some stoics see cynics as too radical, especially in the hostility towards others.
Cynics either avoid society or resort to egoism. But a stoic sees the importance of others,
regardless of their differences. Logos involves everyone in a society, and order depends on the
role of each person. That is why Marcus was so merciful to the ones that betrayed him. And why
Epictetus was kind to everyone.
Conclusion
So which philosophy of happiness produces true happiness? The answer to this question
cannot be applied to every human. Only the individual can answer the question to himself or
herself. Although the philosophers mentioned had different notions, all of them believed they

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reached true happiness. Therefore you must decide what characteristics from each philosophy
you will exercise. It is important that you do not choose sides and disregard other ideas from
other philosophies. Just like how to stoics borrowed from the cynics and Socrates. Again,
knowing these philosophies will not guarantee happiness, but will open up opportunities for the
future.

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References
Diogenes Laertius. Lives of Eminent Philosophers Vol. I-II. Trans. R.D. Hicks. Cambridge:
Harvard University Press, 1979.
Soccio, D. J. (2013). Archetypes of wisdom: An introduction to philosophy. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.
Piering, J. (n.d.). Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved June 29, 2016, from
http://www.iep.utm.edu/diogsino/
Class notes (2016). Chapter 7 The Hedonists, Cynics and Stoics Soccio pp. 187-215