Epicurean solutions for our burning problems – Prof. Hossenfelder’s views (2): needs-based economy for more happiness

August 22, 2009 · Filed Under Epicurean Happiness Guidance, Epicurean solutions, happiness-boosters, sustainability · Comment

Malte Hossenfelder sees Epicurus’s topicality in the first place in the fact that the economy propagated by Epicurus and practiced by his followers for 800 years was a needs-based economy. Practicing it today would eliminate two of the major problems we are facing:

a.The overexploitation of natural resources:

Epicurus’s taught that power, status and material wealth arte not relevant for a happy life. The Epicurean communities had been practicing the frugal, needs-based economical way of life they learned from Epicurus and were happy with it. They professed and practiced sustainability for 800 years. Living in a needs-based economy we wouldn’t have to worry about our natural resources or climate change. We could lead far more stressFREE and thus happier lives.

b. The social tensions between rich and poor

Tahe social tensions between rich and poor are at the heart of numerous conflicts and collisions that would disappear – or at least significantly decrease – if people lived according to Epicurus’s teachings. Instead of producing more for the richer, we could share our resources with the poorer thus reducing antagonisms and thereby also stress.