Fear is the ultimate motivator. Nothing forces a person to change or adapt quite like fear. Religious thought is based primarily upon the fear of death, and finds everlasting life, through salvation obtained after death, as a resolution. Conversely, philosophical thought searches for a solution to release the anxiety associated with the consuming fear of death, in order to live a more peaceful and joyous life on earth. Stoicism and Epicureanism, two distinct forms of philosophy, each seek to find ultimate peace in life, by eliminating the anxiety associated with the fear of death.

Epicureanism calls for the quelling of anxiety through disassociation with death. As stated in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, “Death, Epicurus insists, is nothing to us, since while we exist, our death is not, and when death occurs, we do not exist” (Epicureanism, 7). He even suggests that death has an “empty name”, and thoughts of it can lead to an anxiety that consumes the mind. In order to stop the anxiety, one must learn to free themselves of all that is unnecessary. This, in theory, seems an appropriate response to the problem. By freeing ourselves of desire, we release ourselves from the burdens of life, and therefore can focus our thoughts, instead, on the joys of life. However, Epicurus’ lack of acceptance of reality negates this theory, in that it provides an unrealistic approach to happiness. By disallowing the notion that there are outside influences that shape our destiny, ones that are beyond our control, this philosophy sets an unattainable goal, and ultimately adds to the anxiety we feel.

Stoicism, conversely, finds control over anxiety in a delicate balance of action, between one’s dedication to living a life free of unnecessary attachments, and their reaction to the inevitable complications that arise along the way. Stoicism suggests that “…you should not be psychologically subject to anything- manipulated and moved by it…”, therefore, we should not allow death to consume our lives, rather, we should accept that it is a part of reality, and focus on life instead (Stoicism, 15). When we are in control of our faculties, we can better deal with the natural occurrences that alter our paths towards happiness. While this approach is better suited as a way of life, due to its firmer grasp on reality, its assessment that “all passions involve an element of false-judgement” can be intimidating for the person who is seeking release of anxiety through realization of wisdom and self-control. If we, as humans, are designed to be irrational in our passions, and therefore perpetually unable to control them, then how do we find mastery over the impulses that drive us towards anxiety?