Pleasure in Living

We have concluded a few things about pleasure. It seems to be what everyone is after. Pleasure isn't a good because not all pleasures are good for us. But we can’t say it is a bad either since taking pleasure in noble things is good for us. People who have understanding of an activity will enjoy them more. A musician understands music, enjoys it and will have a better handle on what good music is. A just or a kind person in the same way will enjoy justice and kindness. The end product is what puts a pleasure on the good side rather than the bad. And when we make use of our unique interests, pleasure is enhanced. The absence of pleasure isn't the reason we go after more or a different kind. A person can have all his needs met but it is normal to seek more. Pleasure isn't confined to our senses alone. A person can be sick or handicapped and still enjoy life.

Aristotle gives it certain characteristics. It is similar to sight where the image is confined to the moment. Any given moment an image is registered in our brain and the image is complete. We can experience a blissful moment but we always move on to the next moment or scene. The pleasure itself is complete and not lacking anything but time is constantly moving. So enjoyment isn't a deficiency such as a hunger where we try to add more over time. It isn't something that is created piece by piece. It is something we experience completely as each moment arises. That is where the saying “Live in the Moment” applies. We also cannot be continuously pleased because everything we do takes energy; we get tired and also lose interest. The things we are good at give us the most pleasure. We aren't talking about just feelings or actions but when our interests and goodness are involved, being pleased can be continued from one moment to the next.  Bliss or a pleasant state of being is a combination of these things. Acting on our interests and desires is completed by pleasure. It makes life worth living. Do we live for pleasure or take pleasure in living? The answer doesn't matter since pleasure and the activities of life are bound up together.

Since this is established, let’s move on and examine the different kinds of pleasure. Pleasure intensifies the activities we have interest in. Everyone has varying interests and we will get into these next.