Discovering pleasure

The Cyrene School was a philosophical school of thought, founded in the fourth century BC by Aristippus of Cyrene (d. c. 435–356 BC), who held that sensual pleasure was the highest good and the only worthwhile goal in life. Known as the first school of hedonism, it eventually became superseded by the more comprehensive Epicurean philosophy. The central Cyrene School view is summed up in Aristippus''s statement, "I possess, I am not possessed," meaning that pleasure should be pursued but not enslaved. Indeed, the pursuit of pleasure was intended to encourage personal freedom insofar as one was not bound by the philosophical or cultural quests of others but could follow one''s own path and establish one''s own view of the meaning of life. Finally, we can say that the followers of these three philosophers, all of whom were named after them, developed their beliefs while opposing the increasingly established teachings of Epicurus. Like Aristotle (384–322 BC), Epicurus asserted that the goal of life was happiness (human flourishing and well-being—having a good soul), which was meant to be experienced in a state of tranquility and the absence of anxiety (ataraxia), as well as the absence of pain (aponia). He believed this state was achieved by enjoying simple pleasures, surrounding oneself with friends, and engaging in rewarding work.