Epicurus was political insofar as he saw that it was in the best interest of society that people carry out agreements that promote fellowship and common sense cooperation. This implied a contractual form of government. But Epicurus and his followers disapproved of advocacy for social change. They saw political struggle as creating unnecessary stress, and advocated civic tranquillity, living unnoticed, abstaining from public life and the avoidance of anything that made enemies. This was approach to politics that suited those living under authoritarian (Alexander, the Roman Emperors) rule.
But is it appropriate for us today? We do not live under a totalitarian regime, but our freedoms are being whittled away, both in the US and in Europe, in the name of defending our freedoms. How far can we be true Epicurians and ignore politics, and at what point do we get involved and resist?
I think those who rely solely on politics as their means of getting change will be perpetually disappointed. There are so many special interest groups and people with differing opinions, that true reform is virtually impossible. This is especially true in America, but also in the rest of the world as well.
I supported the election of Obama in 2008 becuase I thought he was going to deliver genuine change. I don’t regret doing so. But due to the nature of the US political system, not as much has been accomplished as I hoped would have been. Similarly, many Bernie Sanders supporters think he will deliver radical change. But as he has qute rightly pointed out, he won’t be able to achieve anything unless his election is part of a broader political movement that advocates changes across the board, not just at the presidential level.
I actually think Epicurus was right- that politics is stressful and you are probably happier not getting involved. The reason why I participate (though not totally) in politics is simply becuase I find it fascinating. I know its probably bad for my health, but its simply too intruiging to ignore.
But I must recognise that politics cannot change everything. One of the most regrettable feature of modern life is the sheer lack of common decency and courtesy. Whether it’s people screeming racist abuse on buses, women feeling unsafe to walk home at night, the lack of respect for the elderly and disabled, corporations ripping people off and not paying taxes, or peer pressure and bullying at schools- modern life can be horrific. But I don’t understand how politics can change this individualistic culture. It will take a social and intellectual revolution to do it, and maybe the teachings of Epicurus can be a part of it.
Excellent post! Don’t give up, though. Set an example of quiet good manners and consideration for others.
But Epicurus and his followers disapproved of advocacy for social change. . . . How far can we be true Epicurians and ignore politics, and at what point do we get involved and resist?”
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Stimulating post. It’s true that Epicurus spurned politics in his day; it’s also the case, though, that he lived his life rejecting unjust social realities. His Garden was open to all, regardless of conventional categories–such as gender or social status.
Although Epicurus discouraged political activism, I think that was more a function of totalitarian military realities than it was a rock-solid core teaching. The more important values he stressed were truth, moderation, rejection of unjust social categories (which he practiced even if he wasn’t waving banners.)
I think Epicurus had to have gone through the same calculus we have to continually measure:
he looked at the realities and judged that some fruitful avenues lay open and others did not. We have a different set of realities (well, so far) and we, too, have to hang on to the core and not the incidental teachings.