Epicureanism and Finance: Five Steps to a Pleasurable Life

We come now to the final part of our look at what Epicurus says about wealth and happiness. Having seen that many of our ambitions, whether satisfied or not, ultimately do not lead us to long-term contentment, how can we distinguish between necessary and unnecessary desires? Is there a method to take us out of the cycle of consumer spending?

Before looking at this, I just wanted to highlight a recent study on the happiest countries in the world. One interesting and relevant point is that many of the happiest people are in developing nations - and rather few in the more affluent ones. The reason is that money can equate to happiness when people are moving out of abject poverty and feel optimistic that all their basic needs can be fulfilled. But above the level of necessities there is little correlation between wealth and happiness, and has more to do with social cohesion, family life and personal freedoms. This is a completely independent verification that the words of Epicurus are as relevant now as in ancient Athens.

So let's now list our 5 steps to avoid going down the path a ruinous expense that is unlikely to bring us the happiness we crave.

1. Just imagine your current desire projected into the future and see how it looks. For example, you want a bigger apartment with a sea-view.

2. Now imagine that your scenario does not lead to the expected state of happiness. For example, the view is great but you're still alone, or, you need to work longer hours and thereby restrict your private life.

3. If yo can find examples where the original desire is fulfilled but you are still unhappy then the original desire is neither natural nor necessary. Perhaps what is important is finding a partner rather than splashing out on a new apartment.

4. You are now able to amend step 1 with your new insights. Perhaps that new apartment can wait until the financial repercussions do not affect your personal life in a negative way.

5. You should by now have arrived at a refinement of your initial impulsive desire. Your time and money are probably better spent in making your life truly pleasurable, without sacrificing any of those desires that Epicurus classes as natural and necessary. If those parts of your life are already satisfied then certainly go ahead with your plan, but these steps can also serve as warnings for when future plans may lead to an erosion of the good life you already lead.

Back to the start.