Hedonism is the most straightforward theory of human nature. We all seek pleasure and comfort and avoid pain and suffering, but human nature is not only seeking instant joy and happiness. We seek value and meaning, which means being prepared to experience pain, and anxiety and struggle to achieve satisfaction. To better understand this issue, we will introduce you to the two concepts of hedonism and eudaimonia. Be with us.
We choose to suffer
Life is full of voluntary suffering. Every morning we wake up early to go to work, we wake up in the middle of the night to feed the baby, we accept the bitterness of medicine and the sting of the needle to be cured, we exercise and diet to achieve the desired body, we climb mountains, run marathons. We participate, fight, and do a thousand other things hoping for sweet results. All these seemingly unpleasant actions are the cost of future pleasures. Although eating well, dressing well, and achieving better situations are enjoyable for all of us, the path to achieving them is a pain we consciously choose.
Why is suffering our choice?
We suffer because of our goals because suffering distracts us from worries and shows our stubbornness. Whether we like it or not, unpleasant emotions such as fear and sadness are part of achieving goals and mental satisfaction. Our effort, struggle, and hardship become ultimate pleasure in the proper context.
Another point is the innate human desire for meaningful actions. If this need is not satisfied, one leg of life always limps. Whoever has a “why” to live will also find its “how.” So it can be said that man is not looking for suffering, but he is looking for purpose and meaning. Suffering is one of the difficulties in reaching this goal.
What does hedonism mean?
Although hedonism and eudaimonia are still unclear, we can define hedonism as hedonistic prosperity and eudaimonia as an orientation toward growth, originality, purpose, and excellence.
In other words, hedonism is hedonistic happiness focused on fulfilling desires and positive effects; When pleasures are maximized, dissatisfactions are minimized. The criterion for measuring this subjective form of well-being is to evaluate the level of satisfaction with life and the fulfillment of sensual desires.
The Greek word eudaimonia translates as “joy,” “prosperity,” “satisfaction,” and “success” and reflects the pursuit of virtue and capabilities that we can achieve through practice. Although we do not necessarily enjoy and are not happy on the way to reaching these capabilities, we accept this suffering to get the goal because it gives us satisfaction.
The difference between hedonism and eudaimonia
The difference between eudaimonia and hedonism is the difference between self-fulfillment and maximum pleasure, the difference between living a valuable and virtuous life and a life that only prioritizes pleasurable experiences, or in other words, the difference between long-term prosperity and short-term pleasures.
Disciples of hedonism prioritize hedonism and consider happiness as the goal in all aspects of life. Because these people care so much about happiness, they don’t put themselves in a situation of suffering and hardship, even to achieve bigger goals and more happiness! While eudaimonia believers accept challenges and mental pressures in all aspects of life, from career advancement to independent living and starting a new business, to achieve something more significant and valuable than “happiness.”
Aristotle and Epicurus’ opinions about hedonism
Aristotle considered eudaimonia the highest human good and linked it with the virtue of life. According to him, this cheerfulness reflected purity and perfection; it brought out the best in everyone and expanded their inner potential. However, Epicurus (Greek philosopher) believed that a good life means hedonism, maximizing pleasurable experiences and minimizing pain and discomfort. According to this great philosopher, pleasure is the only inherently good thing, pain is the only inherently awful thing in the world, and human life is good if it is full of joy and ecstasy and free from pain and distress.
Psychological theories about the concept of hedonism
1. The great theoretical debate about eudaimonia
Many great psychologists of the world believe that eudaimonia is a type of performance, a specific orientation, or a set of measurable traits and behaviors; that is, hedonism can be measured according to a person’s orientation towards personal growth, his sense of participation and value, and with cognitive-emotional experiences such as feeling satisfied with life, mental performance It evaluated positive, positive emotions, orientation towards self-actualization and a person’s enjoyment of personal growth and fulfillment of his desires.
Some great world theorists say that well-being combines psychological and social well-being. In addition to personal growth and valuable life, it includes relationships and social partnerships. According to this definition, signs of altruism should be seen in our lives if we want to live well.
2. Theory of human flourishing
This theory states that eudaimonia not only requires identifying unique virtues and their development, but it is essential to use these strengths for more significant benefits and to achieve the well-being of the human race. Therefore, it can be said that the proponents of Aristotelian eudaimonia make wiser choices for greater long-term prosperity than hedonists. Of course, we should not forget that a life without pleasure is not worth living. Theorists believe that those who experience actual flourishing experience high levels of hedonism and eudaimonia well-being side by side.
3. flow theory
Inner happiness and contentment are not necessarily obtained through hedonistic behaviors such as eating and sleeping. Sometimes this happiness results from continuing a skillful activity for a long time. In positive psychology, “flow” is a state of mind in which a person is immersed in what he is doing, forgets time and place, and is completely fascinated by the activity.
Some scientists identify this state as one of the main components of eudaimonia. These activities usually do not seem enjoyable from the eyes of others, such as practicing playing, building, running, painting, and martial arts. However, the pleasure that a person experiences at that moment is not less than doing pleasure-seeking (hedonistic) activities.
Some examples of hedonism in real life
History is full of examples of hedonism and eudaimonia in different eras, for example:
- According to great philosophers, including Nietzsche, the two sons of Zeus in ancient Greece, they symbolized the contrasting styles of hedonism and eudaimonia.
- In Greek mythology, Apollo (the sun god) symbolizes reason, order, logic, and prudence. He is also the god of music and shows the importance of acquiring skills. At the same time, Dionysus (god of dance and pleasure) symbolizes chaos, instant passion, instinct, and momentary emotions.
- King Henry VIII was known for his excessive love of red meat and women. Casanova and Don Juan also considered beekeeping the priority in their lives.
- Poet Oscar Wilde, actress Ava Gardner, and singer Frank Sinatra loved to have fun in the truest sense of the word.
How to achieve happiness with hedonism?
These strategies will help you replace the pursuit of momentary happiness and hedonism with the deep joy of eudaimonia:
- Know your values and design your lifestyle based on them.
- Be clear about your long-term goals and outline the daily (however complex) steps to achieve them.
- Be result oriented and look for moral virtues. Try to implement them.
- Take care of your physical and mental health.
- Appreciate good communication.
- Don’t just look for a good feeling. Good work leads to good feelings.
- Try to get into flow mode.
- Maintain a balance between hedonism and eudaimonia. Pleasure should not be removed entirely from life.
Introduction of some valuable and related books
Many books in different languages have examined hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in detail. In the following, we introduce 3 of the best of them.
1. good life; Lessons from the longest-running scientific study of happiness
Author: Robert Waldinger and Mark Schulz
This excellent book is based on the results of the Harvard Adult Development Study (the longest-running study of happiness). Line by line, this book seeks to answer the question of what completes life and gives it meaning. The answer to this simple question is the quality of our relationships. The stronger our connections, the more satisfied and happy we will likely be. A Harvard study shows that throughout our lives, the strength of our relationships with others determines our physical and mental health and our success in our careers.
2. Aristotle’s method; How ancient wisdom can change our lives
Author: Robert Waldinger and Mark Schulz
Number of pages: 264
3. Handbook of Hedonistic Prosperity
Author: UR Witherso
This academic handbook contains several articles on the empirical findings of eudaimonia researchers, covering historical and philosophical perspectives on the concept. In other words, it is a comprehensive account of the academic discussions of hedonistic welfare. After reading this book, you will know what elements good societies are made of and how you can live happily. The rest of the book explores related topics such as emotions, health, wisdom, decision-making, motivation, growth, work, leisure, and heroism.
The last word
Happiness is a multidimensional construct. It is impossible to look for immediate pleasures and not have a virtuous eye, nor does pure consequentialism lead a person to the path of happiness regardless of the joys of life. The hedonism of hedonism and the euphoria of eudaimonia are the scales of life, and the balance of these two scales brings a person to long-term well-being and prosperity.
Warning! This article is only for educational purposes; to use it, it is necessary to consult a doctor or specialist.
