Epicureanism and Hedonism

[DISCLAIMER]

Photo credit, fair use

The Epicurean

On their album Demi Glacé (2019), hip hop group Vendetta Kingz released the track “The Epicurean” upon which it is stated “life is best lived to the fullest,” “enjoy the finer things,” and “enjoy the fruits of my labor; epicure, beauty in the flavor.”

For context, an “epicure” is one with sensitive and discriminating tastes, especially in food or wine, and this term archaically related to one devoted to sensual pleasure. Noteworthy, the album cover depicts “The Marvelous Sauce” (c.1890), a painting by Jehan Georges Vibert.

Epicureanism and Hedonism

When considering the cited lyrics of “The Epicurean”, I’m reminded of an element related to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) about which I don’t often speak. This matter regards Epicureanism, about which one Wikipedia source states:

Epicureanism is a system of philosophy founded in 307 BCE and based upon the teachings of Epicurus, an ancient Greek philosopher. Epicurus was an atomist and materialist, following in the steps of Democritus.

His materialism led him to religious skepticism and a general attack on superstition and divine intervention. Epicureanism was originally a challenge to Platonism, and its main opponent later became Stoicism.

It is a form of hedonism insofar as it declares pleasure to be its sole intrinsic goal. However, the concept that the absence of pain and fear constitutes the greatest pleasure, and its advocacy of a simple life, make it very different from hedonism as colloquially understood.

For context, a separate Wikipedia source states of hedonism, of which Epicureanism is a form:

Hedonism is a family of philosophical views that prioritize pleasure. Psychological hedonism is the theory that all human behavior is motivated by the desire to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. As a form of egoism, it suggests that people only help others if they expect a personal benefit.

Axiological hedonism is the view that pleasure is the sole source of intrinsic value. It asserts that other things, like knowledge and money, only have value insofar as they produce pleasure and reduce pain. This view divides into quantitative hedonism, which only considers the intensity and duration of pleasures, and qualitative hedonism, which identifies quality as another relevant factor.

The closely related position of prudential hedonism states that pleasure and pain are the only factors of well-being. Ethical hedonism applies axiological hedonism to morality, arguing that people have a moral duty to pursue pleasure and avoid pain.

Utilitarian versions assert that the goal is to increase overall happiness for everyone, whereas egoistic versions state that each person should only pursue their own pleasure. Outside the academic context, hedonism is sometimes used as a pejorative term for an egoistic lifestyle seeking short-term gratification.

With that context taken into consideration, the originally-cited Wikipedia source continues:

Following the Cyrenaic philosopher Aristippus, Epicurus believed that the greatest good was to seek modest, sustainable pleasure in the form of a state of ataraxia (tranquility and freedom from fear) and aponia (the absence of bodily pain) through knowledge of the workings of the world and limiting desires.

Correspondingly, Epicurus and his followers generally withdrew from politics because it could lead to frustrations and ambitions that would conflict with their pursuit of virtue and peace of mind.

Regarding Epicurus, one Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy source states:

He regarded the unacknowledged fear of death and punishment as the primary cause of anxiety among human beings, and anxiety in turn as the source of extreme and irrational desires.

The elimination of the fears and corresponding desires would leave people free to pursue the pleasures, both physical and mental, to which they are naturally drawn, and to enjoy the peace of mind that is consequent upon their regularly expected and achieved satisfaction.

It remained to explain how irrational fears arose in the first place: hence the importance of an account of social evolution. Epicurus was aware that deeply ingrained habits of thought are not easily corrected, and thus he proposed various exercises to assist the novice.

His system included advice on the proper attitude toward politics (avoid it where possible) and the gods (do not imagine that they concern themselves about human beings and their behavior), the role of sex (dubious), marriage (also dubious) and friendship (essential), reflections on the nature of various meteorological and planetary phenomena, about which it was best to keep an open mind in the absence of decisive verification, and explanations of such processes as gravity (that is, the tendency of objects to fall to the surface of the earth) and magnetism, which posed considerable challenges to the ingenuity of the earlier atomists.

Although the overall structure of Epicureanism was designed to hang together and to serve its principal ethical goals, there was room for a great deal of intriguing philosophical argument concerning every aspect of the system, from the speed of atoms in a void to the origin of optical illusions.

Regarding hedonism, one separate Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy source states:

In general, pleasure is understood broadly below, as including or as included in all pleasant feeling or experience: contentment, delight, ecstasy, elation, enjoyment, euphoria, exhilaration, exultation, gladness, gratification, gratitude, joy, liking, love, relief, satisfaction, Schadenfreude, tranquility, and so on.

Pain or displeasure too is understood broadly below, as including or as included in all unpleasant experience or feeling: ache, agitation, agony, angst, anguish, annoyance, anxiety, apprehensiveness, boredom, chagrin, dejection, depression, desolation, despair, desperation, despondency, discomfort, discombobulation, discontentment, disgruntlement, disgust, dislike, dismay, disorientation, dissatisfaction, distress, dread, enmity, ennui, fear, gloominess, grief, guilt, hatred, horror, hurting, irritation, loathing, melancholia, nausea, queasiness, remorse, resentment, sadness, shame, sorrow, suffering, sullenness, throb, terror, unease, vexation, and so on. […]

Even if every argument for motivational hedonism fails, failure of a positive is not success of a negative.

Herein, I’ve provided what I consider to be the lengthy though relevant factors for consideration regarding Epicureanism and hedonism. Concerning why I haven’t often spoken about Epicureanism, it may be useful to first describe my approach to REBT.

REBT

First, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, not the occurrence itself, that causes an unpleasant Consequence. This is known as self-disturbance.

Addressing how people upset themselves with unhelpful attitudes, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of unproductive philosophies of life in order to explore Effective new beliefs. Whereas rigid beliefs cause self-disturbance, flexible beliefs result in an un-disturbed condition.

Second, REBT uses unconditional acceptance (UA) to relieve self-induced suffering. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance (USA), unconditional other-acceptance (UOA), and unconditional life-acceptance (ULA).

Whereas the ABC model is a scientific approach to wellness, UA serves as a philosophical method for un-disturbing yourself. I view the former as an abortive approach to disturbance and the latter as a preventative method. Of course, not all REBT practitioners use the same style as I.

With my approach to REBT, I incorporate author Stephen Covey’s concepts regarding the circles of control, influence, and concern, as well as an area of no concern. UA maps onto the circle of control (USA), circle of influence (UOA), and circle of concern and area of no concern (ULA).

The circle of control encompasses only oneself, the circle of influence encapsulates elements which may be subject to one’s sway, the circle of concern engrosses most matters one can imagine, and the area of no concern relates to all content which isn’t yet imagined.

An REBT Perspective on Epicureanism and Hedonism

Thus far, I’ve addressed Epicureanism and hedonism, as well as my approach to REBT. Additionally, it may be helpful to highlight what current REBT theorists, trainers, lead authorities, and developers have to say. According to one REBT source (pages 16-17):

The philosophic stance of REBT also rests on Epicureanism. Unlike the blindly compulsive hedonism of the Freudian id, however, the Epicureanism of REBT is both guided and individualistic. Whereas according to the concept of the id we are all driven by the same impulses that originate in bodily processes, individuals in REBT are recognized as enjoying and therefore seeking a wide variety of pursuits.

Epicureanism was founded around 307 B.C. and is a system of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus. Epicurus believed that pleasure is the greatest good. However, the way to attain pleasure was to live modestly and to gain knowledge of the workings of the world, and thus the limits of acquiring one’s desires.

Acceptance of these limits results in a state of tranquility and freedom from fear and emotional disturbance, as well as the absence of bodily pain. The combination of these two states constitutes happiness in its highest form. Epicureanism is a form of hedonism and declares pleasure as the sole intrinsic good, but its conception of absence of pain as the greatest pleasure and its advocacy of a simple life make it different from “hedonism” as it is commonly understood.

Epicureanism is not just the seeking of pleasure and the avoidance of pain; such a principle would not necessarily lead to continued enjoyment. If you derive pleasure from something that has harmful side effects, you clearly will not enjoy the pleasure very long. Thus, if you drink or use drugs to excess, you may experience considerable pleasure in the short term but more pain than pleasure in the long term.

Because short-term pleasures may actually work against the other main goal of survival, REBT teaches, and even advocates, moderation. The term for moderation is hedonic calculus, a concept taken from the pragmatic philosophers of the nineteenth century. It is not a true calculus, of course, because no numeric values are assigned to our various pleasurable pursuits.

Rather, hedonic calculus refers to the sensible habit of asking ourselves whether the pleasure we experience today is likely to backfire in some way tomorrow, next week, or even years from now. Conversely, if we live only for the future, we might pass up a good deal of current enjoyment, and that, too, would be irrational. So, as you can see, the pursuit of the simple hedonistic goals of survival and happiness can be quite complicated.

Both immediate gratification and delay of gratification have advantages and disadvantages. REBT advocates noncompulsively seeking an optimal solution that sacrifices neither the present nor the future.

A special form of hedonism that deserves careful consideration is when one avoids pain, discomfort, and inconvenience and in so doing cuts oneself off from a desirable outcome. A person may want to do something but be unwilling to work toward a long-range goal.

In REBT, this avoidance is considered to result from Frustration Intolerance (FI). Clients demonstrate FI when they refuse to do what they agree would be beneficial for them, citing reasons such as, “It’s too hard,” “I’d be too scared,” or “I can’t stand it.”

FI is perhaps the main reason that clients do not improve after they have gained an understanding of their disturbance and how they create it. FI is a personal philosophy of life that states, in effect, “I absolutely shouldn’t have to do anything that is unpleasant or uncomfortable, and I’d sooner maintain the status quo than risk discomfort.”

Although people clearly have a right to live by such a philosophy, it can create unhappiness by blocking them from goals they would like to attain. Does the Epicureanism of REBT lead to irresponsibility and anarchy in human relations?

No, not if the person has thought through the consequences of his or her behavior, which includes getting cut off from future opportunities to pursue happiness. Exploitation of other people is hardly in our long-range best interests.

I’ve italicized each of the major points with which I agree in this lengthy cited text. In all, I appreciate the distinction highlighted by the authors regarding potentially helpful versus unhelpful elements of Epicureanism and hedonism.

I now turn to what the late psychologist Albert Ellis, who developed REBT, had to say about hedonism. In one source, Ellis stated (pages 192-193):

As REBT has noted since its inception in 1955, short-range hedonism—“Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you may die!”—has its distinct limitations, for tomorrow you will probably be alive with a hangover!

Therefore, maximum self-actualization can largely be achieved by aiming for intensive and extensive pleasures today and tomorrow, and where the former (as in many addictions) sabotage the latter, immediate gratification had often better be avoided and long-range hedonism sought out and abetted.

Ellis addressed a short-term hedonic lifestyle of unbridled pleasure-seeking and pain-avoiding. Rather than that potentially harmful method of living, he advocated long-range hedonism of attainable and sustainable joy and pleasure. In a separate source, Ellis added (page 218):

REBT, then, like some forms of Buddhism, encourages your desires but not your dire, exaggerated needs. Like Epicurus, it favors happiness and pleasure but also favors long-range hedonism and discipline that are usually required to achieve your future gains. Moderate eating and drinking may add to your life; addiction to gluttony and alcohol will often sabotage you.

In essence, Ellis endorsed moderation—a Stoic virtue. This isn’t the same concept as complete abstinence (i.e., refusal to partake in joyful or pleasurable activities). In yet another source, Ellis encouraged (page 186):

Steadily — and unfrantically! — look for personal pleasures and harmless enjoyments. Try to devise for yourself an intense, long-range vital absorbing interest. Take as a major life goal the achievement of emotional health and of real enjoyment. Try to be a long-range rather than a short-range hedonist.

Per my view, the notable perspective of Ellis’s encouragement regards “personal pleasures and harmless enjoyments” which serve one’s goal for “emotional health.” Finally, in a last source, Ellis clarified the matter of perceivably overinflated egotism regarding hedonism (page 69):

You may well acknowledge, then, that both self-expression and social acceptance seem desirable in virtually everyone’s life. But while some form of hedonism, pleasure-seeking, or enlightened self-interest seems as good a plan of personal living as anyone has yet devised, enlightened self-interest includes, and cannot possibly sanely ignore, some degree of social interest as well.

For if you only strive for your “own” good, and run roughshod over others in the process, you will most probably find that most people over whom you keep riding sooner or later thwart your “own” good. Therefore, to some extent in your concept of your “own” good you’d better include the good of others as well.

Conclusively, Ellis didn’t advocate hedonic pleasure-seeking at the expense of others—at least not in the sources cited herein. What Ellis is alleged to have done in his personal life is another matter altogether.

Conclusion

On the Vendetta Kingz’s track “The Epicurean”, Epicurean aspects of living were mentioned. When considering the song, I was reminded of an element related to REBT about which I don’t often speak: Epicureanism (a form of hedonism), as I’ve provided information on this topic.

Having then described my approach to REBT, I thereafter devoted a fairly in-depth examination into how Epicureanism and hedonism influence REBT theory. Specifically, long-range hedonism regards pleasure-seeking and pain-avoiding through the framework of moderation.

Typically, I don’t discuss Epicureanism, because I tend to favor Stoicism—another philosophical approach which is intertwined with REBT theory. Bear in mind that one Wikipedia source cited herein states that Epicureanism’s main opponent later became Stoicism.

While plausibly seen as antithetical, due to Stoicism’s emphasis on virtue and Epicureanism’s focus on pleasure, the two philosophies undoubtedly have a complex and nuanced relationship. Although they assume different forms, they both ultimately aim for a blissful life.

Also, Stoicism and Epicureanism advocate a form of self-sufficiency and acceptance of death. Those familiar with my blog probably understand that I don’t shy from advocating an objective concerning the fostering of self-determination and autonomy, or discussing death.

Still, Stoicism and Epicureanism (hedonism) diverge significantly on the path to this goal that I advocate within my blog, with Stoics finding happiness through rational living and virtuous action, and Epicureans finding it through the pursuit of a life free from fear and pain.

Of course, these paths aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. Thus, an individual doesn’t have to accept one while rejecting the other. Simply stated, I appreciate Ellis’s approach to REBT through an Epicurean lens—which I don’t reject. All the same, I tend to favor Stoicism more.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

AEI. (n.d.). About Albert Ellis, Ph.D. Albert Ellis Institute. Retrieved from https://albertellis.org/about-albert-ellis-phd/

DiGiuseppe, R. A., Doyle, K. A., Dryden, W., and Backx, W. (2013). A practitioner's guide to rational emotive behavior therapy (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/a-practitioners-guide-to-rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-d174617836.html

Ellis, A. (2003). How to make yourself happy and remarkably less disturbable. Impact Publishers. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/howtomakeyoursel00elli

Ellis, A. (2005). The myth of self-esteem: How rational emotive behavior therapy can change your life forever. Prometheus. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-myth-of-self-esteem-how-rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-can-change-your-life-forever-d195237477.html

Ellis, A. and Blau, S. (1998). The Albert Ellis Reader: A guide to well-being using rational emotive behavior therapy. Carol Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://dokumen.pub/qdownload/the-albert-ellis-reader.html

Ellis, A. and Harper, R. A. (1975). A new guide to rational living. Wilshire Book Co. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/newguidetoration00elli

Genius. (n.d.). Vendetta Kingz. Retrieved from https://genius.com/artists/Vendetta-kingz

Hollings, D. (2025, August 22). A lifetime of sobriety. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-lifetime-of-sobriety

Hollings, D. (2024, May 22). A philosophical approach to mental health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-philosophical-approach-to-mental-health

Hollings, D. (2025, August 26). A preventative approach to self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-preventative-approach-to-self-disturbance

Hollings, D. (2024, May 24). A scientific approach to mental health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-scientific-approach-to-mental-health

Hollings, D. (2024, July 9). Absolutistic should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/absolutistic-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2023, September 13). Acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/acceptance

Hollings, D. (2025, August 26). An abortive approach to self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/an-abortive-approach-to-self-disturbance

Hollings, D. (2025, September 13). Are your actions ruled by reason? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/are-your-actions-ruled-by-reason

Hollings, D. (2024, November 15). Assumptions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/assumptions

Hollings, D. (2025, October 2). Because of x, the effect is y. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/because-of-x-the-effect-is-y

Hollings, D. (2024, April 12). Boredom. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/boredom

Hollings, D. (2024, July 16). Can you stand the pain? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/can-you-stand-the-pain

Hollings, D. (2023, July 2). Can’t go out sad. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/can-t-go-out-sad

Hollings, D. (2022, October 24). Chosen suffering. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/chosen-suffering

Hollings, D. (2022, May 17). Circle of concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/circle-of-concern

Hollings, D. (2024, July 11). Concern and no concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/concern-and-no-concern

Hollings, D. (2025, July 10). Conditional happiness. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/conditional-happiness

Hollings, D. (2024, March 19). Consequences. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/consequences

Hollings, D. (2025, October 17). Content with settling, not seeking. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/content-with-settling-not-seeking

Hollings, D. (2024, June 24). Contentment. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/contentment

Hollings, D. (2023, April 22). Control. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/control

Hollings, D. (2024, October 27). Correlation does not imply causation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/correlation-does-not-imply-causation

Hollings, D. (2024, October 21). Desire. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/desire

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2025, March 12). Distress vs. disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/distress-vs-disturbance

Hollings, D. (2024, November 3). Enjoyable consequences. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/enjoyable-consequences

Hollings, D. (2024, January 8). Enlightened self-interest. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/enlightened-self-interest

Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use

Hollings, D. (2022, November 13). Fear. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fear

Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1

Hollings, D. (2023, April 5). For what it’s worth, I’m grateful. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/for-what-it-s-worth-im-grateful

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (2024, April 13). Goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/goals

Hollings, D. (2024, August 27). Guilt and shame are choices. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/guilt-and-shame-are-choices

Hollings, D. (2025, September 7). Have to. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/have-to

Hollings, D. (2024, August 9). Healthy concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/healthy-concern

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2024, January 2). Interests and goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/interests-and-goals

Hollings, D. (2024, October 1). It’s too hard. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/it-s-too-hard

Hollings, D. (2025, October 13). Knowledge, wisdom, understanding. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/knowledge-wisdom-understanding

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2022, December 9). Like it, love it, accept it. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/like-it-love-it-accept-it

Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason

Hollings, D. (2022, December 2). Low frustration tolerance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/low-frustration-tolerance

Hollings, D. (2024, March 4). Mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-emotional-and-behavioral-health

Hollings, D. (2024, February 17). Meta-emotional problems. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/meta-emotional-problems

Hollings, D. (2025, February 4). Money and the power. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/money-and-the-power

Hollings, D. (2024, July 10). Moral and ethical should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/moral-and-ethical-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2023, October 2). Morals and ethics. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/morals-and-ethics

Hollings, D. (2024, September 27). My attitude. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/my-attitude

Hollings, D. (2025, August 2). My philosophy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/my-philosophy

Hollings, D. (2025, March 11). My laissez-faire attitude about your disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/my-laissez-faire-attitude-about-your-disturbance

Hollings, D. (2024, November 3). Neurotic anxiety and fear. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/neurotic-anxiety-and-fear

Hollings, D. (2024, March 26). O death. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/o-death

Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings

Hollings, D. (2024, June 16). On virtue. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-virtue

Hollings, D. (2024, October 16). Political bingo. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/political-bingo

Hollings, D. (2025, April 25). Preferences vs. expectations. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/preferences-vs-expectations

Hollings, D. (2024, July 10). Preferential should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/preferential-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, May 26). Principles. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/principles

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2025, June 14). Pulled like a puppet by every impulse. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/pulled-like-a-puppet-by-every-impulse

Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt

Hollings, D. (2024, May 15). Rational living. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-living

Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Rational vs. irrational. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-vs-irrational

Hollings, D. (2024, July 18). REBT flexibility. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rebt-flexibility

Hollings, D. (2025, February 24). Reinforcement and punishment. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/reinforcement-and-punishment

Hollings, D. (2023, February 17). Revisiting the circle of control. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/revisiting-the-circle-of-control

Hollings, D. (2024, January 4). Rigid vs. rigorous. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rigid-vs-rigorous

Hollings, D. (2025, January 15). Satisfaction. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/satisfaction

Hollings, D. (2023, December 24). Schadenfreude. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/schadenfreude

Hollings, D. (2025, July 4). Self-control becomes the real pleasure. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-control-becomes-the-real-pleasure

Hollings, D. (2024, May 26). Self-determination and autonomy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-determination-and-autonomy

Hollings, D. (2024, April 30). Self-discipline. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-discipline

Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance

Hollings, D. (2022, December 1). Self-sabotage. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-sabotage

Hollings, D. (2024, April 21). Stoicism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/stoicism

Hollings, D. (2024, February 27). Suffering, struggling, and battling vs. experiencing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/suffering-struggling-and-battling-vs-experiencing

Hollings, D. (2023, September 6). The absence of suffering. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-absence-of-suffering

Hollings, D. (2023, April 9). The advice that never was. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-advice-that-never-was

Hollings, D. (2025, August 31). The cause of my irritation is not in this person but in me. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/ the-cause-of-my-irritation-is-not-in-this-person-but-in-me

Hollings, D. (2022, November 22). The thief of joy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-thief-of-joy

Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal

Hollings, D. (2025, April 18). Tolerable FADs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/tolerable-fads

Hollings, D. (2025, June 27). Trade your egotism in for stoicism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/trade-your-egotism-in-for-stoicism

Hollings, D. (2025, January 9). Traditional ABC model. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/traditional-abc-model

Hollings, D. (2025, July 23). Tranquility. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/tranquility

Hollings, D. (2024, October 20). Unconditional acceptance redux. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-acceptance-redux

Hollings, D. (2023, March 11). Unconditional life-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-life-acceptance

Hollings, D. (2023, February 25). Unconditional other-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-other-acceptance

Hollings, D. (2023, March 1). Unconditional self-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-self-acceptance

Hollings, D. (2024, January 16). Understanding, belief, and practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/understanding-belief-and-practice

Hollings, D. (2025, February 9). Value. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/value

Hollings, D. (2023, May 3). Want vs. need. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/want-vs-need

Hollings, D. (2022, August 8). Was Freud right? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/was-freud-right

Hollings, D. (2025, June 15). We demand your peace of mind. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/we-demand-your-peace-of-mind

Hollings, D. (2024, September 29). Well, well, well. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/well-well-well

Hollings, D. (2024, September 1). Wellness connections. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/wellness-connections

Hollings, D. (2025, April 27). What you can avoid. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/what-you-can-avoid

Hollings, D. (2025, October 19). When ambitions overshadow convictions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/when-ambitions-overshadown-convictions

Hollings, D. (2025, January 28). Who taught you to hate yourself, baizou? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/who-taught-you-to-hate-yourself-baizou

Hollings, D. (2025, September 7). You better! Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/you-better

Hollings, D. (2025, January 1). You better believe in something. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/you-better-believe-in-something

Hollings, D. (2023, September 22). You’re gonna die someday. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/you-re-gonna-die-someday

Konstan, D. (2022, July 8). Epicurus. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/epicurus/

Moore, A. (2013, October 17). Hedonism. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hedonism/

P.L.E. (n.d.). Philosophy 302: Ethics the hedonistic calculus. Philosophy.Leander.edu. Retrieved from https://philosophy.lander.edu/ethics/calculus.html

Spotify. (n.d.). Demi Glace. Retrieved from https://open.spotify.com/album/0ODYhqKg6qU3YoirvXqLty#:~:text=Demi%20Glace%20%2D%20Album%20by%20Vendetta%20Kingz%20%7C%20Spotify.

Thomason, T. C. (2016). The shadow side of the great psychotherapists. Counseling & Wellness Journal. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/2346/7/Thomason_T_2016_The_Shadow_Side_of_the_Great_Psychotherapists(1).pdf

Vendetta Kingz. (2019, January 15). Vendetta Kingz - The Epicurean [Image; video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Y0Eb_yScF3U?si=1G_d4Tu3MCB0-iee

Wikiart. (n.d.). The Marvelous Sauce: Jehan Georges Vibert. Retrieved from https://www.wikiart.org/en/jehan-georges-vibert/the-marvelous-sauce

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Aristippus. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristippus

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Ataraxia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ataraxia

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Atomism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomism

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Cyrenaics. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrenaics

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Democritus. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democritus

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Epicureanism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicureanism

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Epicurus. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicurus

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Hedonism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonism

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Intrinsic value (ethics). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrinsic_value_(ethics)

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Jehan Georges Vibert. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehan_Georges_Vibert

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Materialism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Materialism

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Platonism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platonism

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Psychological egoism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_egoism

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Religious skepticism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_skepticism

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Stephen Covey. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Covey