So long as you're not hurting others, what's wrong with the "if it feels good, do it" philosophy? I'm big on personal responsibility, and personal freedom. i tend to be a glutton and indulge in all things, sometimes to excess. I consider myself a hedonist. If something feels good to me, whether it be smoking, drinking, masturbating, sex, or something as simple as brushing my hair, whats wrong with it?
"and it harm none" - i agree.....but it does bring to mind the Greek adage "moderation in all things" i suppose the philosophy of moderation stems from the swing of the pendulum in one direction being equal to the swing of the pendulum in the other - great highs will also set in motion the chance of experiencing equal lows "and it harm none" also applies to not harming oneself - as long as it doesn't hurt you, either, then go for it! excess is relative anyway, it depends on who is viewing you as to how excessive you are perceived.......what you may consider to be moderate may be viewed as extreme to another.... ....but, i digress
Nothing at all. It's in your best interest to moderate yourself and be aware of possible consequences of your indulgence, though.
Short-term pleasure, like gluttony, drugs, etc, can result in long-term pain that is not worth the pleasure. Short-term pain or discomfort (like lifting weights, kicking a bad habit, studying when you could be partying) can lead to long-term pleasure that is worth the pain. That you should immediately seize any and all opportunities to set those endorphins in motion and feel pleasure without thinking of the consequences is a foolish and short-sighted philosophy. Wise hedonists seek a compromise that results in the greatest net-gain of pleasure.
"If It feels good, do It", may be a fun principle to live by, but its also dangerous one In some contexts.
Thankfully nowadays we know so much about the "dangers" of overindulgence that most rational people find that hedonism can actually mean balance! I love drugs and I'll do them until they stop feeling good...but after a couple caps of e or a couple hours of coke I'm tired and they no longer feel that great, so I go to sleep, which does. I'd consider myself a hedonist but in pretty much every thing I like to indulge in, I get enough of pretty quick. Except sleep. I can always go for more sleep.
I don't like the public's perception of the definition of the word Hedonism. It is too closely linked with the concept of stupidity. Most seem to think that Hedonism is only for those who have difficulty with cause/effect and risk/reward relationships. In fact, the opposite is true. We need to be very good at analyzing risks because we don't operate from a set list of morals, which is usually just a list of known risky behaviors that has been attributed to a divine source. My big problem with religious moral lists is that they don't get updated when the facts change. And they encourage lazy thinking.
Very true. Also, it depends on what a person derives there pleasure from. Some people find pleasure in physical pain. And weirder still, some people actually do simply 'feel good' from helping others. Doing what thou whilst, doesn't have to mean lots of drugs and sex. Infact even Allister Crowley preached that along with 'Do thou whilst is the whole of the law", one needed to find thier "True Will" often through very meditative like states. One could take this to imply a person could actually live a very Hedonistic life that was actually percieved by most as quite morall and good, as long as this persons 'True Will' is 'good', for lack of better words.
Over-satiation breeds contempt in my book. I am happy we don't have a general 'whatever, whenever' mentality, because when I do those things I like so dearly- they are all the more sweet.
