Stoicism vs. epicureanism: what are the differences?

In popular belief, a Stoic is a person who is insensitive and unemotional and an Epicurean is a person who enjoys all pleasures to the point of excess. Nothing could be further from the truth. Both the Stoics and the Epicureans have rich emotions and follow strict discipline in their desires and pleasures. The difference between these two schools, founded around 300 BC, is on another level.

Ethics: Epicurean pleasure vs. Stoic duty

Should we follow our duty or pleasure to be happy? For the Stoics, it is duty; for the Epicureans, pleasure. This is the fundamental difference between Stoicism and Epicureanism.

More precisely, an Epicurean follows mainly the natural and necessary desires :

• for happiness — philosophy, friendship, the suppression of pain…
• for ease — physical exercise, healthy housing, balanced food…
• for life — the satisfaction of vital needs…

Natural and unnecessary desires, such as the search for sex or comfort, are accepted as long as they are under control and do not dominate us. Unnatural and unnecessary desires, such as luxury, fame, or immortality, are to be rejected.