Freedom, Happiness And Contract

Epicurus live in an era which the footstep of classical city-state systemgradually towards decline, in the ruined environment of the city-state,people are nolonger able to find their place,gradually lost enthusiasm for the city-state politics,andconsider issues more from the person’s perspective.Facing this historicalsituation,Epicurus borrowed and transformed the theory of "atoms" fromDemocritus,while accepting the existence of atoms falling movement,he initiallyproposed that atoms also have "deflection movement".Atomic deflectionforeshadowed free will of individuals, declaring the freedom of human nature,andprovides the basis for a new political philosophy.Reflections on the purpose of life,the school put forward their hedonisticethics, aiming for a happy life,mentioning happy in a high position,even treatinghappiness as a standard to measure everything.Since happiness is so important,howcan we get it?The Epicureans argue that achieving happiness should beunder guarantees of the social contract,and the so-called social contract is theagreement that people never hurt each other on the basis of maintaining their owninterests.Thinking in this aspect,especially have a detailed explanation in Lucretius’physical theory. At this point, the school formed their theory of social contract.The political philosophy of Epicureanism has an important influence on themodern political philosophy,especially for Hobbes,Montesquieu and Rousseau et al.Hobbes thinks that human are not inherent political animals,the pursuit of happinessis the greatest good in life.Aim at the rampant of vulgar Epicureanism,Montesquieuproposed how to consolidate the political order.Rousseau is hostile to politicalsociety,he also reached an extensive degree in exploring the problems of humanhappiness,and pointing out a new hope for people--there will be a democraticsociety which can respect everyone’s freedom and equality.