When we say ... that pleasure is the end and aim, we do not mean the pleasures of the prodigal or the pleasures of sensuality, as we are understood to do by some through ignorance, prejudice or wilful misrepresentation. By pleasure we mean the absence of pain in the body and of trouble in the soul. It is not by an unbroken succession of drinking bouts and of revelry, not by sexual lust, nor the enjoyment of fish and other delicacies of a luxurious table, which produce a pleasant life; it is sober reasoning, searching out the grounds of every choice and avoidance, and banishing those beliefs through which the greatest tumults take possession of the soul. — Epicurus
If one feels pleasure, another must feel pain. — kudos
But what of hedonism and uncontrolled self indulgent pleasures of the senses would this, if it went unchecked have a negative effect on a higher cultured society, would it bring it down say or have these two always co-existed ? — simplyG
What progress of humanity? If circumstances were such that nature provided the necessities and everyone could indulge in sensual pleasure - assuming the pleasures indulged in were not sadistic or destructive - people would do no harm and they would never be banished from Eden. In fact, isn't that why Christians curb their mundane desires, so they can end up in Heaven?Furthermore, would creating purely a hedonistic, pleasure seeking society have negative effects on the progress of humanity ? — simplyG
Why? I've been involved in a number of encounters wherein pleasure was mutual, shared and reciprocal.
For instance, how often to you feel pleased at taking a shower, or having mashed potatoes? — kudos
Only if it's denied to them because someone has it. My marital relations do not deny anyone else the enjoyment of physical love. My mashed potatoes were not stolen from anyone's table. My shower did not drain anyone's drinking water.We see it in the pain of another who feels their lack in our place. — kudos
I disagree. (I held back a much ruder response. Where the hell do get these simplistic 1/0 ideas?)Pleasure is a psycho-active identification of pain in another. — kudos
Good... good... feel the hate swell within you. It will bring you great pleasure to strike me down. And all the while you come closer and closer to the dark side. -The EmporerI disagree. (I held back a much ruder response. Where the hell do get these simplistic 1/0 ideas?)
Consider possible outcomes of a more sadistic version of the marshmallow test. The children are told that they will be harshly beaten if they eat the marshmallows that sit on table in their room. Those that make the mistake get beaten. Would there be any children, who having lived through the experience of being beaten for eating the marshmallows, continue to choose to eat the marshmallows again and again because the pleasure of the eating outweighs the pain of the beating? Would that choice be attributable to a hedonistic tendency? — Nils Loc
I sup[pose the 'pleasure' being sought is either mastery over nature or Heaven.Even an ultimate pursuit of ascetic self-denial must have an incentive. The subject that demands such self-control must know the anticipation for reward/relief, even if it never comes. — Nils Loc
Guess I merely stating my belief in psychological hedonism, that a pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain is the primary source of human motivation. — Nils Loc
But what of hedonism and uncontrolled self indulgent pleasures of the senses would this, if it went unchecked have a negative effect on a higher cultured society, would it bring it down say or have these two always co-existed ? — simplyG
According to civil service minister Khaled Alaraj, many Saudi government employees are really only working for an hour each day.
Almost 70% of employed Saudi nationals -- more than 3 million -- hold jobs in the public sector, according to McKinsey. The cushy positions are highly coveted because they offer ironclad job security and lucrative salarie. — https://money.cnn.com/2016/10/20/news/saudi-government-workers-productivity/index.html
I think it’s the nature of public service workers to be somewhat complacent or lazy when it comes to work ethic, not bound for any need for profit this phenomena is widespread in the west too. — simplyG
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