Politics

From Epicurus Wiki

Epicurus discouraged his followers from involvement in politics, which in turn inevitably involves the pursuit of power.

The value Epicurus assigned to power is decidedly very limited: power is only good insofar as it gains one security; this "re-evaluation" is outlined in Principal Doctrine 6.

Yet power is also infinite, and the desire for it insatiable. All too often, Epicurus suggested, one gets caught up in a rat-race, expending ever more effort in the pursuit of political power, while gaining no additional pleasure or benefit thereby.

In this respect, Epicurean ethics stand in diametrical opposition to Stoic ones: whereas the Stoics advise one to become involved in politics, except when extenuating circumstances make involvement impossible or at least imprudent (e.g. in the time of a repressive and violent dictatorship), Epicureans are advised to abstain from politics, except when extenuating circumstances make involvement necessary (e.g. when one's personal/family security is threatened, and political will must be mustered to launch some appropriate defense).