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Beyond Instant Gratification: A Guide to Ethical Living
Mastering the art of pleasure without compromising personal or planetary health
It’s often a perplexing paradox that what feels undeniably good — indulging in hedonistic pleasures like partying, savoring chocolate, traveling, or shopping — may not necessarily be genuinely good, neither for our individual well-being nor for the greater good of society.
Hedonism, as a philosophy, is centered around the pursuit of immediate pleasure and happiness rather than deferring gratification. It has been a subject of debate for centuries. Some, like the Stoics, argue that this pursuit does not lead to a good life. However, speaking from experience, I can attest that hedonism can indeed feel deeply fulfilling and meaningful.
A turning point often arrives when we start to genuinely care about personal and planetary health. For me, this shift occurred when environmental concerns came to the forefront of my mind.
The majority of hedonistic pursuits are not in harmony with healthy ecosystems, societal well-being, or personal health. This is primarily because contemporary hedonistic pleasure, as commonly practiced, relies heavily on consumption. Such consumption not only depletes resources but also generates waste. And last time I checked…
