InAncient Greek philosophy,ataraxia (Greek:ἀταραξία, fromἀ- indicatingnegation or absence andταρασσ-tarass-'to disturb, trouble' with the abstract noun suffix-ία), generally translated as'unperturbedness','imperturbability','equanimity', or'tranquility',[1] is a lucid state of robust equanimity characterized by ongoing freedom from distress and worry. In non-philosophical usage,ataraxia was the ideal mental state for soldiers entering battle.[2] Achievingataraxia is a common goal forPyrrhonism,Epicureanism, andStoicism, but the role and value ofataraxia within each philosophy varies in accordance with their philosophical theories. The mental disturbances that prevent one from achievingataraxia also vary among the philosophies, and each philosophy has a different understanding as to how to achieveataraxia.
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In Pyrrhonism,ataraxia is the intended result ofepoché (i.e.,suspension of judgment) regarding all matters ofdogma (i.e., non-evident belief), which represents the central aim of Pyrrhonist practice,[3] that is necessary to bring abouteudaimonia.[4]
Ataraxia is a key component of theEpicurean conception of pleasure (hedone), which they consider the highest good.[5]: 117–121 Epicureans break pleasure down into two categories: the physical and the mental.[5]: 117–121 They consider mental, not physical, pleasures to be of high importance because physical pleasures exist only in the present; while mental pleasures exist in the past, the present, and the future.[5]: 118–119 Epicureans further separate pleasure into what they callkinetic pleasure, those that come about through action or change,[6] andkatastematic pleasures, those that come about through an absence of distress.[5]: 119–120 Those who achieved freedom from physical disturbance were said to be in a state ofaponia, while those who achieved freedom from mental disturbances were said to be in a state ofataraxia.[5]: 119–120 Ataraxia, as both a mental andkatastematic pleasure, is key to a person's happiness.[5]: 120
In Stoicism, unlike Pyrrhonism or Epicureanism,ataraxia, or tranquillity of the mind,[7]: 100–101 is not the ultimate goal of life. Instead, the goal is a life of virtue according to nature,[7]: 99 which is intended to bring aboutapatheia, the absence of unhealthy passions. However, since Stoics in a state ofapatheia do not care about matters outside of themselves and are not susceptible to emotion, they would be unable to be disturbed by anything at all,[8] meaning that they were also in a stage of mental tranquillity and thus in a state ofataraxia.[7]: 100–101
