The Current State of My Evolving Life Philosophy
I’ve decided to start this blog by discussing an idea that is central to my current worldview. This is an idea I subscribe to for its merits. Accordingly, it’s subject to change as I experience realities that suggest alternative truths. I’ve only come across this idea recently, yet in a matter of weeks, it has transformed the way I think about the world. It has tangibly made me happier. My current conviction is likely a result of the Dunning-Kruger effect, but this reflection hasn’t shaken my confidence. Instead, it has inspired me to create this blog, where I plan to document my thoughts as they evolve. My point in this preface is that I am not only open to alternative philosophies, but actively seeking them. In the current absence of such an alternative explanation, however, this is my current state of mind.
It seems to me that all human action aims towards a single unconditional good. This good is pleasure. To assess whether an action would engender pleasure, we need only to ask ourselves, “Does or will this action make me experience some pleasant sensation?” In asking ourselves this question, we will find that we ultimately seek pleasure in every single one of our actions. In creating a family, we seek the concomitant emotional pleasure. Similarly, in solving problems or playing games we may seek the pleasure of intellectual satisfaction. Regardless of the specific pleasure sought, every human action is taken for the sake of experiencing some pleasant sensation, either now or in the future.
Even in situations where the individual does not directly pursue pleasure, pleasure is still the ultimate goal of their action. Take the individual behaving altruistically. While they may seem to be acting for the sake of another, they are ultimately pursuing the gratifying sensation their action produces. In situations where no pleasure is achievable, the least painful (and, by extension, the most pleasurable) outcome is pursued. For instance, the parent who sacrifices themselves for their child still pursues pleasure. They judge that the pain they will experience in the future if their child dies will be more unpleasant than sacrificing themselves. They may also feel an emotional pleasure in saving their child, believing that they are doing the right thing and taking gratification from this belief.
This hedonistic (pleasure-centric) worldview was popularized by the 19th Century philosopher John Stuart Mill and is corroborated by a contemporary understanding of human neurology. While this observation may seem cynical to some, and even ridiculously self-evident to others, to me it is meaningful because it implies the following.
1. There isn’t a greater truth. Your purpose isn’t something anyone else can decide for you. A person following God, another person trying to better society, and a third person trying to find true love, may each believe their life’s purpose is something greater than pleasure. However, each person is simply pursuing the pleasure they are predisposed (by their natural disposition and experiences) to enjoy. Your purpose is to seek pleasure, and the mechanism by which you will best realize sed pleasure should be identified through self-reflection.
2. There’s nothing wrong with being yourself. Everyone is just doing what they believe will bring them pleasure. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t. Internalizing this idea allows you to understand and accept yourself (and others) for who you (and they) are. It also allows you to accept that you’re different from other people for the simple reason that your prior experiences have predisposed you to different pleasures. It’s validating and freeing. Moreover, it demystifies the people you interact with: everyone is motivated by the same fundamental desire.
3. Happiness is found in authentic action. Imagine a friend tells you that contributing to society is the only path to fulfillment, a pleasurable emotion. Naturally, you start to behave accordingly. However, you may not be predisposed to enjoy altruism, and thus you don’t find pleasure in your friend’s advice. Succumbing to these types of pressures without the necessary self-reflection (seriously considering whether or not you genuinely enjoy these actions) may lead you to act in a manner that isn’t conducive to your pleasure. A life devoid of pleasure is an unhappy life.
Many people find pleasure in virtues such as generosity, kindness, courage, respect, sacrifice, and honor. This is why they strive to behave virtuously. If you find any one of these virtues pleasing, do it. If any one of them isn’t, don’t. Since life is just a pursuit of pleasure, it makes sense to pursue the things that maximize your experience.
*The cover image for each of my blog posts is a song about that post’s topic. Every song I’ve used has been added to this Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1hj71NprzRVt9h4LdSK6vk?si=cb0d0ef4907947c7
Feel free to check it out!
