Comments on: The Irony of Hedonism http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2009/04/09/the-irony-of-hedonism/ Freelance Writing, Personal Development, and Making Money with Freelance Writer Michael Kwan Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:38:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: From Me to Us to Them: Shifting Priorities « Beyond the Rhetoric http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2009/04/09/the-irony-of-hedonism/#comment-68226 From Me to Us to Them: Shifting Priorities « Beyond the Rhetoric Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:26:52 +0000 http://btr.michaelkwan.com/?p=4342#comment-68226 [...] not unlike the way that an individual matures and develops. The development process can start with hedonistic inclinations, but as those needs are met, the scope can open up to helping [...] [...] not unlike the way that an individual matures and develops. The development process can start with hedonistic inclinations, but as those needs are met, the scope can open up to helping [...]

]]> By: Shay http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2009/04/09/the-irony-of-hedonism/#comment-68225 Shay Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:02:27 +0000 http://btr.michaelkwan.com/?p=4342#comment-68225 Please check your facts before perpetuating such egregious stereotypes. http://encyclopedia.stateuniversity.com/pages/9646/hedonism-psychology.html gives a decent overview of hedonism, which you may note focuses on both LONG TERM and NET happiness, neither of which are acquired by irresponsible behaviors. There is as much joy to be found in restraint as in excess, and far more in action than in lassitude. The self-described hedonists of my acquaintance are far more likely to save their money than to spend it on rash materialism, or they give it away and thereby savor the joy of charitable works. They are very goal-focused; they know what they want and why they want it. If you’ve ever experienced the desire to impulse shop, I can personally attest that it’s a lot easier to reject that desire when you can point to a goal and tell yourself, “No, I don’t need that, and buying it would only prevent me from reaching my goal.” Perhaps instead of blaming hedonist philosophy, you should instead blame rampant consumerism – turning everyone and everything into commodities for use and disposal. Blame the selfishness of baby boomers, who squandered all the wealth their parents scraped together and left their children with so much debt our grandkids may very well still be drowning in it when we pass on. Blame irresponsibility, blame conservatives, blame liberals, blame the people who won’t compromise with anyone, blame whatever you need to in order to feel better. Just remember when you’re throwing around the blame that the US’s founding fathers were such hedonists they listed “the pursuit of happiness” in the Declaration of Independence among mankind’s inalienable rights. Please check your facts before perpetuating such egregious stereotypes. http://encyclopedia.stateuniversity.com/pages/9646/hedonism-psychology.html gives a decent overview of hedonism, which you may note focuses on both LONG TERM and NET happiness, neither of which are acquired by irresponsible behaviors. There is as much joy to be found in restraint as in excess, and far more in action than in lassitude.

The self-described hedonists of my acquaintance are far more likely to save their money than to spend it on rash materialism, or they give it away and thereby savor the joy of charitable works. They are very goal-focused; they know what they want and why they want it. If you’ve ever experienced the desire to impulse shop, I can personally attest that it’s a lot easier to reject that desire when you can point to a goal and tell yourself, “No, I don’t need that, and buying it would only prevent me from reaching my goal.”

Perhaps instead of blaming hedonist philosophy, you should instead blame rampant consumerism – turning everyone and everything into commodities for use and disposal. Blame the selfishness of baby boomers, who squandered all the wealth their parents scraped together and left their children with so much debt our grandkids may very well still be drowning in it when we pass on. Blame irresponsibility, blame conservatives, blame liberals, blame the people who won’t compromise with anyone, blame whatever you need to in order to feel better. Just remember when you’re throwing around the blame that the US’s founding fathers were such hedonists they listed “the pursuit of happiness” in the Declaration of Independence among mankind’s inalienable rights.

]]> By: Damien Riley http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2009/04/09/the-irony-of-hedonism/#comment-68205 Damien Riley Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:29:00 +0000 http://btr.michaelkwan.com/?p=4342#comment-68205 I want to live a life dedicated to finding the free and simple pleasures of life. Nice post. I want to live a life dedicated to finding the free and simple pleasures of life. Nice post.

]]> By: Ray Ebersole http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2009/04/09/the-irony-of-hedonism/#comment-68204 Ray Ebersole Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:19:44 +0000 http://btr.michaelkwan.com/?p=4342#comment-68204 It's hard to throw caution to the wind when you have to work 2 jobs to pay the bills. The only thing I have to focus on is making sure that I can support my family. Unfortunately that makes me neglect the enjoyment side of life. I do try to do both, but it is a losing battle. It’s hard to throw caution to the wind when you have to work 2 jobs to pay the bills. The only thing I have to focus on is making sure that I can support my family.

Unfortunately that makes me neglect the enjoyment side of life. I do try to do both, but it is a losing battle.

]]> By: Lesley http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2009/04/09/the-irony-of-hedonism/#comment-68202 Lesley Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:06:10 +0000 http://btr.michaelkwan.com/?p=4342#comment-68202 I demand a holodeck. I demand a holodeck.

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