Sobre El Placer Y La Naturaleza / On Pleasure and Nature

At the end of the 4th century BC, Epicurus founded a philosophical school completely opposed to the prevailing Platonic idealism. From a much more empirical and natural perspective, his doctrine vindicated the role of the senses (the only possible source of wisdom) and the pursuit of pleasure to achieve happiness (the sole ultimate goal). This hedonism, however, had to be accompanied by a certain ethic, capable of distinguishing between good (or "natural" pleasures, such as eating or sleeping) and bad (or unnecessary and vain, such as drinking without thirst or pursuing lust). Hence the need for philosophy, the practice of which Epicurus defended throughout his life: "for to achieve the health of the soul, one is never too old nor too young."