Purpose V Pleasure
A post reflecting upon these two popular life pursuits
I read something the other day that said “Those who lack purpose seek pleasure”.
The words and accompanying picture strongly implied that ‘purpose’ was the more worthy quest and ‘pleasure’, a peasant lowland.
The other suggestion of course, was that ‘pleasure’ was not in itself, a valid ‘purpose’ in life.
It made me consider whether those ideas were planted or sculpted by religion/leaders over the years as a way of detaching us from our innate predisposition towards fostering and pursuing joy.
Or could it be that pleasure without an accompanying pain of some sort has always seemed unearned?
As an unapologetic pleasure seeker, I have often wondered when and why the pursuit of sheer joy became frowned upon as a life style choice.
When did it become socially unacceptable to aspire to a life of pleasing oneself? Was it always so? Why?
When did pleasure seeking become associated with stupidity and shallowness?
How did it become synonymous with immorality and excess, rather than the underrated contentment one can glean by absorbing the beauty of nature, sound of music or the company of a person or animal?
Again, my bet would be that this arose from religion or politics. A society that places value upon simple delights rather than materialism is at odds with an easily controlled one because there is no carrot to dangle. It therefore made sense to relate pleasure to sin rather than wholesomeness.
On to ‘purpose’.
There is an unquestioned assumption in humans that we should all be striving to take on some higher role. That true fulfilment can only occur alongside or following great exertion, be it physical, intellectual, emotional effort or servitude.
Is the theory that the reward that comes about after struggle, is a better grade one, or is it that a context of investment make it so?
Certainly, I would concede that the need so many people have to give themselves to another human being, vocation, cause or faith appears to give them personal significance and satisfaction.
Does a desire for purpose exist in animals? Does the ‘top dog’ hierarchy we observe throughout the animal kingdom reflect an urge across all species to attain a higher standing, or is that different? Is that just about asserting power?
I put it to you that seeking both ‘Purpose’ and ‘Pleasure’ can be all be boiled down to a desire for power.
Power over oneself by intentionally constructing conditions that create endorphin release (pleasure). Or, in the case of ‘Purpose’, by convincing yourself you wield power (or that more palatable word, influence) over others, be this by gained knowledge, status or acquired respect.
Hmm…..
Those are my thoughts this Friday morning.
I’d be interested to hear yours.
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And I realise that for most people 5.30am in the morning or whatever stupid time I published this post is way too early to contemplate such matters, but such is my head early doors😂😂😂
Happy Friday 😍😘
I don’t know where the quote comes from but, for me, it sets up a false opposition. Surely pain is the opposite of pleasure? Do purposeful people pursue pain? No, they take pleasure in their sense of purpose (have I just written a tongue twister?). I call for purposeful pleasure seeking.
The ancient Greeks were all over this, of course. Even the Hedonists recognised the inevitability of pain in the unbridled pursuit of pleasure (e.g. the hangover, the bloated gut) and saw the need for moderation. The Epicureans expanded on this by recognising that bodily pleasure has its limits. The highest form of sustained pleasure they could envisage was “friendship” (very different from Satre’s existentialist take that “Hell is other people”). Friendship doesn’t just fall into your lap. It takes effort and compromise and the Purpose to not permanently piss people off.
Yes, religions have stuck their oar in. Flood myths tend to be about building a strong foundation, an ark that can weather the storm (because there is always a storm). Deferred gratification as a survival tool. They’re not wrong - and they are also not necessarily saying you can’t take pleasure in building your ark or that you can’t learn to surfboard too. Some of them get a bit weird with the asceticism and self-flagellation, but they’re probably secretly enjoying it too so they’re still pleasure seeking, just with a dollop of dishonesty.
Pleasure is cool. It should never be guilty, but we should also be as purposeful as we can be, in order that our pursuit of pleasure does not cause undue pain to ourselves or others.