One of the many aspects of Epicureanism to which I am drawn is the concept of negative hedonism. As I understand it, this is the belief that one should seek pleasure as one's ultimate goal, combined with the thesis that pleasure consists simply of the absence of pain (physical and mental/emotional). By this account, pleasure is synonymous with peace of mind.

However, I have come across at least two persuasive arguments against negative hedonism. First, if peace of mind is one's ultimate goal, then it would seem that one should commit suicide as quickly and painlessly as possible, since continuing to live can only disturb one's mind, without any compensating benefit. Such a conclusion seems unacceptable. Second, the thesis that pleasure consists simply of the absence of pain (that is, that pleasure is synonymous with peace of mind) appears to be contradicted by the fact that positive feelings (such as euphoria) and negative feelings (such as physical pain) appear to be caused by different brain chemicals and processes. Thus, it appears that pleasure and pain are in some ways independent of each other.

Can any of you provide effective counterarguments in favor of negative hedonism? Thank you for your time.