if I can resist the temptation to become a junkie I’m pretty confident I could resist the temptation to turn the dial up more than a trickle — Pfhorrest
It helps, when avoiding a deadly spiral into drug addiction, that drugs are not easily or legally procured. — Kenosha Kid
If the button would give relief to someone suffering from bone cancer, then yes; the rest, maybe not. — jorndoe
What about Mental health issues? Depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation etc — MSC
That’s the kind of thing I was thinking of.
If it can be made so that just existing at all in and if itself feels like at least a slight net positive, regardless of what else is going on, then it seems that that would go a huge way toward relieving anxiety, depression, and existential dread. — Pfhorrest
Mostly agree but not with the legally procured part. There are a handful of chronic pain issues I could claim I have that a Dr can't reliably test for, opiates can be legally prescribed and in some cases are directly pushed onto patients who would do better with other pain management therapies. — MSC
I’m thinking of this all as a philosophical thought experiment divorced from the practical details: basically “if you could directly stimulated pleasure centers in your brain would you want that ability?” In actual practice no, I’m not getting brain surgery unless I really need it. — Pfhorrest
Tis not contrary to reason to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger. — Hume
what then is left but just to ENJOY it? — Pfhorrest
Drugs — Pfhorrest
I suppose you're right but from the little experience I've had not all drugs come in the form of pills, syrups, injectables, inhalants. You know what I mean, right? — TheMadFool
What does equilibrium mean to you? I'm not disagreeing. I do see what you are saying, I don't necessarily want pleasure when I feel pain, I just want the pain to be gone. Just feeling balanced is a worthwhile reprieve from some forms of suffering. The forms of suffering and pain that harm me. So pain in my legs while I am exercising is a good thing and in the long run is beneficial, not harmful. — MSC
However, one thing I observed with many of these comments, is the rather ubiquitous idea that human life needs pain so that we can have the pleasure of overcoming it. I just find this theory lacking in any ethical claim. — schopenhauer1
However, one thing I observed with many of these comments, is the rather ubiquitous idea that human life needs pain so that we can have the pleasure of overcoming it. I just find this theory lacking in any ethical claim.
— schopenhauer1
It's a good thing to be able to overcome pain, but I see your point. Pleasure is not the word we want, to me the word is 'satisfaction'. Normally we don't put ourselves into pain and suffering (I don't mean the kind we get from workout), but we find ourselves in one, and this is simply because we live a human life. ( Yes, I know. Bear with me) We are aware of relationships, and the eventual pain when those relationships disappear, as in death or separation. Experiencing suffering allows another dimension to a life where everything is in order and works like clockwork. — Caldwell
Not for nothing, but I suffered some traumas this past week. I couldn't tell you if I deserved the suffering or if it was good for me. I have however noticed an improvement in how I philosophise for it. Take that as you will. So while no pleasure was had, writing leaves me more satisfied. — MSC
it only takes a press of this button, in a completely conscious person, to remove it from its virtues and morals, making it become an empty shell. Therefore, the choice must be cut - "No" is the only answer possible -. — Gus Lamarch
I remember what my wife said in defense of the button: "If the end goal of this journey is happiness, and that button makes you truly happy, why not do it? Journey complete."
My horrified reaction: "But that's cheating!"
Now, I think that what my wife means by "truly happy" is something different than what the button can produce, which is just raw physical pleasure. — RogueAI
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