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西北大学 710127
Abstract：We can divide hedonism into two parts: the negative hedonism (such as Aristippus's theory, Hobbes’s theory, and De Sade’s theory) and the positive hedonism (such as Epicurus’s theory). The Great Gatsby shows the negative hedonism. However, the happiness and peace of mind are the most important. When pursuing happiness, we should hold a correct attitude. We should control desires, measure in a prudent way, gain a healthy body and a peaceful mind, and only in this way can we obtain maximum and everlasting pleasure.
Key Words: hedonism, Aristippus,Epicurus, party, love affair, sensual and physical happiness
Hedonism is a philosophical thought which thinks the pursuit of pleasure is the most important. Many great men have come up with the theories about hedonism, such as Epicurus’s theory, Aristotle's theory, Aristippus’s theory, and so on. We can divide hedonism into two parts: the negative hedonism (such asAristippus's theory,Hobbes’s theory, andDe Sade’s theory) and the positive hedonism (such as Epicurus’s theory). With the development of economy and technology, we are easier to make ourselves happy, which is acceptable, but we must have a clear head that what attitude is appropriate when pursuing ofhappiness .
There are many plots that reflect the Aristippus's theory of hedonism in the book The Great Gatsby. The relationships among Daisy, Tom, Myrtle, and Gatsby indicate the hedonism. Tom and Daisy have married for many years, and everyone known that Tom has a mistress.Fromthe chapter one, Jorden Baker said “Tom has got some women in New York…She might have the decency not to telephone him at dinner time” (Fitzgerald 20), and the chapter seven” She had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw” (Fitzgerald 158). we know that Tom and Daisy were not loyal to each other, and they all had open love affairs. They enjoyed the excitement and pleasure that love relationships offered to them.
Epicurus’s view of hedonism is a positive view. Obviously, the characters in the book disobeyedhis theory because this positive hedonism is hard to achieve. For example, after the death of Myrtle, Tom was just sad for a while, even he protected the murderer. However, Wilson still loved Myrtle even he knew Myrtlebetrayed him. Wilson killed Gatsby to revenge for Myrtle, and thencommittedsuicide. Only Wilson is Myrtle’s long-term and peaceful happiness.
When we seek happiness, we should take the view of Epicurus. To remove the fear of death, to control desires, to measure in a prudent way, and to choose between happy things and painful things, to gain a healthy body and a peaceful mind, only in this way can we obtainmaximum and everlasting pleasure.
References
1.F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Great Gatsby. Qingdao: Qingdao Press, 2004.
2.狄德罗.百科全书.辽宁：辽宁出版社，1992.
3.第欧根尼,拉尔修.名哲言行录.广西: 广西师范大学出版社,2010.
4.张文镝，享乐主义论析，《南京政治学院学报》第六期，2004
论文作者:饶春花
论文发表刊物:《语言文字学》2018年第7月
论文发表时间:2018/7/27
本文来源: https://www.lw33.cn/article/8e5d224dfd975a08143ab983.html