What are the differences between Epicureanism and Utilitarianism?

Answer 1

In the first it is held that the purpose of life is to enjoy oneself,nothing more. Utilitarianism argues that nothing matters unless it has a useful,practical purpose - including individuals. An Epicurean would not have met the standard of the utilitarian and vice versa.

Answer 2

Epicureanism emphasizes the neutrality of gods on earth and that they do not interfere with the world we live in. It also states that gods, matter and souls are all made from the same thing (atoms). Souls are made from atoms, and gods possess souls, but their souls adhere to the bodies without escaping. In the case of humans we do have the same kind of souls, but the forces between our atoms do not possess the fortitude to hold the soul forever.

Utilitarianism is the ethical doctrine that the moral worth of an action is determined solely by its contribution to overall utility. It is thus a form of consequentialism, meaning that the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome. Utility — the good to be maximized — has been defined by various thinkers as happiness or pleasure (versus suffering or pain), though preference utilitarians like Peter Singer define it as the satisfaction of preferences. Utilitarians tend to consider the interests of any entity capable of experiencing pleasure or pain.

Answer 3

Epicureanism:
1. A philosophy advanced by Epicurus that considered happiness, or the avoidance of pain and emotional disturbance, to be the highest good and that advocated the pursuit of pleasures that can be enjoyed in moderation.

Utilitarianism:
The belief that the value of a thing or an action is determined by its utility.
2. The ethical theory proposed by Jeremy Bentham and James Mill that all action should be directed toward achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

-MM

Answer 4

Utilitarianism states that moral value of a situation is based on how it turns out, while Epicurianism states that the greatest pleasure can be received through living a virtuous life.

Answer 5

Nothing. They are both based on the pursuit of happiness.

Answer 6

Wow! thank you! I was asking myself the same question the other day