Happiness or Hedonism? Epicurus’ Forgotten Wisdom for a Hyper-Consumerist World

More than 2000 years ago, philosophers in Greece were thinking about the same question we have in our minds today- are we truly happy? Will it be possible for you to answer when was the last time you were truly happy without bringing up any materialistic gain? Most would fail. It’s not even their fault. 

We live in a world that constantly tells us more is better. More clothes, more gadgets, more experiences. But have you ever noticed how the happiness that comes from these things fades? That new car smell wears off. The excitement of a new gadget lasts a week. And then what? We’re right back where we started—wanting more.

What if I told you that Epicurus, the misunderstood hedonist, actually knew more about true, long-lasting happiness than most modern-day self-help gurus? And his wisdom might just hold the key to breaking free from the consumerism trap we often find ourselves stuck in today.

Who is Epicurus and What’s Up With Him?

We haven’t been taught philosophy in school, that’s why some of us must be seeing this name for the first time ever. So, amongst those Greek philosophers, pondering about the true nature of happiness, Epicurus’ theory stands out well. 

He believed that the key to happiness is in finding pleasure and preached that pleasure must be the ultimate goal in life. He was presumed to be a hedonist (a person who believes pleasure to be the sole good in life) and was often misunderstood. However, it’s totally not the way we think. Our notion of pleasure is tainted and that’s why we get it wrong.

Epicurus believed in ataraxia—a state of calm, peace, and freedom from worry. Imagine that. How often do we get to feel truly calm in this world that barely stops rushing? He wasn’t against pleasure, but he wanted us to focus on the right kind of pleasures—the simple ones, the lasting ones, the ones that don’t disappear the moment the newness wears off.

The Hedonic Treadmill: Running in Circles

The hedonic treadmill is the idea that no matter how much we achieve or acquire, our happiness eventually returns to a baseline. We get a new job, buy a fancy gadget, or move to a bigger house—but after the initial excitement fades, we’re left wanting more. It’s a constant chase for satisfaction that never truly lasts.

We end up running in circles, believing that the next purchase, promotion, or experience will bring us lasting joy. But does it ever? Or are we simply fueling a cycle of temporary highs and inevitable lows?

This brings us to an important question: Are we running towards happiness, or further away from it? Perhaps it’s time to step off the treadmill and rethink what actually brings us real, enduring happiness.

This reminds me of the caterpillar I encountered in our backyard as a kid that kept moving in circles around a clay pot, unaware that it was leading to nowhere. It would have eventually died without ever realizing that all it needed to reach somewhere was to get off the track a bit.

What Is A Hyper-Consumerist World And How Has It Become A Major Problem Nowadays?

In today’s world, we’re bombarded with messages telling us that happiness is just one purchase away or click away (thanks to Whatsapp marketing and Facebook Ads). A bigger house, a designer wardrobe, the latest phone—each promises to fill a void we didn’t even know existed. Even the logo of the well-known online shopping app Amazon has an arrow underneath the name, slightly curved as a smile (well, no offense as I consider it one of the finest logos).

This cycle of instant gratification and status-chasing leaves us craving more, yet perpetually dissatisfied. We spend our time and money trying to keep up with trends, but happiness always seems out of reach. Why? 

Because hyper-consumerism thrives on our endless desires, promising fulfillment while fueling discontent. It’s an insatiable hunger, an unquenchable thirst. The thought of getting out of this trap of wanting more goods sometimes seems suffocating and almost impossible, right? This is where we use the wisdom of the past to solve problems of today.

Modern Application: What Would Epicurus Say Today?

Epicurus’ three keys to happiness—friendship, freedom, and reflection—have practical relevance even today.

1. Friendship: Think about your closest friends. Remember how spending time with them, even doing simple things like sharing a meal or talking late into the night, brings genuine joy? Epicurus knew that true happiness comes from these meaningful connections, not superficial interactions.

2. Freedom: Imagine someone constantly chasing promotions or luxury goods. They’re never satisfied because there’s always more to want. Epicurus taught that real freedom is letting go of these unnecessary desires, choosing simplicity over materialism. A quiet walk in nature, without needing anything, might bring more peace than any shopping spree.

3. Reflection: After a long day, do you ever stop to reflect on the small joys—a good conversation, a peaceful moment, or a task well done? This ability to appreciate life’s simple pleasures is what Epicurus considered essential for lasting happiness.

Now this is all clear and I wouldn’t preach more about quality over quantity. Following are a few steps you can start with, in order to adopt epicureanism in this hyper-consumerist world:

• Schedule “Friendship Hours”: Dedicate specific, regular time for meaningful interactions with close friends. Focus on deep conversations rather than social media exchanges.

• Create a "Desire Audit": Every month, list your material wants. Ask yourself: do they bring lasting satisfaction or just temporary excitement? Cross off unnecessary desires. 

• Micro-Meditations: Instead of long meditation sessions, try reflecting for five minutes at the end of each day. Focus on small joys you experienced.

• Live in 'Microfreedom': Experiment with removing one source of stress or anxiety each week. For example, unsubscribe from promotional emails or set boundaries around work hours. 

• Opt for “Meaningful Consumption”: When buying something, think of its long-term value. Is it just a fleeting pleasure, or does it add genuine meaning to your life?