In current society, people question the true essence of a happy life: is it money, power love, sex, or religion? In retrospect, however, this is a contemplation that also wondered the minds of people from ancient times. Ever since the emergence of early civilizations, human beings have attempted to identify the elements that can allow them to live happier lives. For the early thinkers of these civilizations, this quest for a more meaningful and satisfying life could be acquired only through the application of philosophical thought. According to them, philosophical thinking, which strictly focuses on the use of reason and logic (Pojman and Vaughn 2), offered the only tools that would allow them to find the true sources of happiness. A prime
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Instead, they simply believed that there was one main source of happiness: the fulfillment of pleasure. In Hedonism, it is suggested that the acquirement of pleasure should be everyone’s main priority. Evidently, the practice of Hedonism is also associated with egoism, which claims that people should do things for their own good and prioritize their happiness before anything or anyone else ("Hedonism"). Similarly, Epicureanism also suggests that people should seek to maximize their happiness through the fulfillment of pleasures, but unlike Hedonism, Epicureanism suggests that people should thrive to fulfill modest pleasures that result in a state of peace and tranquility. Epicureanism believes that not all pleasures result in happiness, and emphasizes the seeking of “stable pleasures of knowledge over the temporary and volatile pleasures of the body” ("Epicurus"). Although Epicureanism and Hedonism both suggest that the fulfillment of pleasure allows people to live more content and satisfying lives, they propose different interpretations of pleasure. Thus, based on their different ideologies, in today’s society living a lifestyle based on the foundations of Epicureanism would be a more optimal way of life; in a world filled with unlimited pleasures and exposure to unlimited experiences, finding a balance to physical pleasures and identifying the …show more content…
In current society, this quest for happiness and satisfaction is reflected on one predominant characteristic that inhibits many members of society: instant gratification. Evidently, instant gratification offers people the feeling of having some control over their lives, but this isn’t always the case. One blatant example that arises from this obsessive seeking of pleasure is reflected on the problem of drug addiction. According to "DrugFacts-Nationwide Trends”, illicit drug use in the United States has been increasing; “in 2013, an estimated 24.6 million Americans aged 12 or older—9.4 percent of the population—had used an illicit drug in the past month.” This number has increased from 8.3 percent in 2002 and on this current trajectory, it will only continue to increase. Although drug addiction is a common example of the heinous consequences that derive from people’s need to seek pleasure, there are many other examples that further emphasize the negative consequences of pleasure. Other examples include Internet addiction, sex addiction, gambling addiction, and even eating addiction ("8 Common Behavioral Addictions"). One thing that all these examples have in common is that instead of creating happiness for people, the experience of these pleasures only leads towards unhappiness and
Instead, they simply believed that there was one main source of happiness: the fulfillment of pleasure. In Hedonism, it is suggested that the acquirement of pleasure should be everyone’s main priority. Evidently, the practice of Hedonism is also associated with egoism, which claims that people should do things for their own good and prioritize their happiness before anything or anyone else ("Hedonism"). Similarly, Epicureanism also suggests that people should seek to maximize their happiness through the fulfillment of pleasures, but unlike Hedonism, Epicureanism suggests that people should thrive to fulfill modest pleasures that result in a state of peace and tranquility. Epicureanism believes that not all pleasures result in happiness, and emphasizes the seeking of “stable pleasures of knowledge over the temporary and volatile pleasures of the body” ("Epicurus"). Although Epicureanism and Hedonism both suggest that the fulfillment of pleasure allows people to live more content and satisfying lives, they propose different interpretations of pleasure. Thus, based on their different ideologies, in today’s society living a lifestyle based on the foundations of Epicureanism would be a more optimal way of life; in a world filled with unlimited pleasures and exposure to unlimited experiences, finding a balance to physical pleasures and identifying the …show more content…
In current society, this quest for happiness and satisfaction is reflected on one predominant characteristic that inhibits many members of society: instant gratification. Evidently, instant gratification offers people the feeling of having some control over their lives, but this isn’t always the case. One blatant example that arises from this obsessive seeking of pleasure is reflected on the problem of drug addiction. According to "DrugFacts-Nationwide Trends”, illicit drug use in the United States has been increasing; “in 2013, an estimated 24.6 million Americans aged 12 or older—9.4 percent of the population—had used an illicit drug in the past month.” This number has increased from 8.3 percent in 2002 and on this current trajectory, it will only continue to increase. Although drug addiction is a common example of the heinous consequences that derive from people’s need to seek pleasure, there are many other examples that further emphasize the negative consequences of pleasure. Other examples include Internet addiction, sex addiction, gambling addiction, and even eating addiction ("8 Common Behavioral Addictions"). One thing that all these examples have in common is that instead of creating happiness for people, the experience of these pleasures only leads towards unhappiness and