Is all unhappiness & "addictive" behavior the result of the lack of sensual pleasure?

[Narz]

By sensual I mean anything one can feel in one's body (above and beyond the typical five senses), so by this definition the pleasure of intellectual accomplishment could also be considered a "sensual" pleasure.

For pleasure use dictionary.com's first two definitions :

1. The state or feeling of being pleased or gratified.
2. A source of enjoyment or delight

though the last three can be applied as well.

My thoughts (take 'em, leave 'em or just skim 'em ).

When I'm happily engaged with life and others (aka : pleasure) I am less likely to seek a quick-fix solution (alcohol, drugs, etc.) or engage in unhappy, angry or destructive behavior.

When I'm not feeling pleasure, at loose ends, unable to visualize pleasure in my near future I am more likely to cause trouble for myself and others.

It seems that some of the angriest and most hateful people (suicide bombing religious fundamentalists for example) also impose the most internal and external limits on the avenues of sensual (including intellectual) pleasure they are allowed to pursue.

Now I am not necessarily advocating extreme Hedonism here (though actually the roots of it are not quite what people think, see the link) but that perhaps if people allowed themselves pleasure and weren't so keen on inhibiting their desires and dulling their senses (again physical and mental) the world would probably be a much more peaceful place.

One more thought I'd like to add before I close. IMO (in my opinion), the subtle pleasures of life are more important to be able to appreciate than the gross (meaning large & obvious not necessarily slippery or sticky) ones. If (also IMO) we taught our children to savor the marvelous capacities of their bodies to feel and their minds to observe and construct instead of how to be obiediant and appropriate to the times societal norms their would be much less adolesant depression, suicidal ideation and violence. Also I believe if enjoyment of life was held as a virtue there would be far more productivity (probably more sustainable and insightful productivity as well) in society in general.

Thoughts? Argument? Agreement? Analysis? Etc?

 

[Heretic_Cata]

When I'm happily engaged with life and others (aka : pleasure) I am less likely to seek a quick-fix solution (alcohol, drugs, etc.) or engage in unhappy, angry or destructive behavior.

It's true ... but it kinda depends what group you are in. But i know it's not what you were refering to.
I remember a large party i went to in high school. Mostly everyone there was having a good time; i ,of course ,wasn't doing anything (not that i remember) but seeing that the people i know and like are having a good time around me made me feel happy. The strange thing is, i didn't drink much. I usually drink a lot at these kinds of parties to maintain a level of happiness. But at this part i only drank 1 glass of gin-tonic the whole night, which is 1/4 of the usual amount. I never felt the need to drink that night, the happiness in the air was enough.

When I'm not feeling pleasure, at loose ends, unable to visualize pleasure in my near future I am more likely to cause trouble for myself and others.

True, when you're around lots of people, they "distract" you from most personal issues. That's one of the resons why solitude is destructive.

It seems that some of the angriest and most hateful people (suicide bombing religious fundamentalists for example) also impose the most internal and external limits on the avenues of sensual (including intellectual) pleasure they are allowed to pursue.

That is how some religious sects work and have so many neophytes. The sect leader has to be someone with enough will power to impose some basic limits to people's lifestyles. Humans are not meant to be enthralled by limits, so the anger in them grows. The next step for the leader is to tell them toward what to be angry at. And of course the part where death will make all the limits disappear is the last important thing.

Now I am not necessarily advocating extreme Hedonism here (though actually the roots of it are not quite what people think, see the link) but that perhaps if people allowed themselves pleasure and weren't so keen on inhibiting their desires and dulling their senses (again physical and mental) the world would probably be a much more peaceful place.

Maybe ... but some of the world's greatest people had some limits self-imposed. It depends on the limits. In general, it is good; but individually ... it depends on the individual.

One more thought I'd like to add before I close. IMO (in my opinion), the subtle pleasures of life are more important to be able to appreciate than the gross (meaning large & obvious not necessarily slippery or sticky) ones. If (also IMO) we taught our children to savor the marvelous capacities of their bodies to feel and their minds to observe and construct instead of how to be obiediant and appropriate to the times societal norms their would be much less adolesant depression, suicidal ideation and violence. Also I believe if enjoyment of life was held as a virtue there would be far more productivity (probably more sustainable and insightful productivity as well) in society in general.

I don't know of any cases around me where the parents taught their children to be happy. It would be a great thing indeed.

 

[Erik Mesoy]

I disagree strongly - much unhappiness and addictive behavior can derive directly from overdone sensuality et al.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Is all unhappiness & "addictive" behavior the result of the lack of sensual pleasure?

I would say instead that all addictive behavior is the result of a lack of happiness. One reply to that could be 'Well, wouldnt more sensual pleasure bring happiness to a person and help him stay away from addictions?' I dont think so. Physical pleasure after all is one of those addictive behaviors people use to feel good, or 'happy'. The more unhappy a person is, in his mind or 'soul' or heart (whatever youre more comfortable calling it), the more likely he is to try and find contentment through physical sensations. Physical pleasure is an important part of life, and theres nothing wrong with it, but theres often too much emphasis placed on it. Physical pleasure is a spice, its not food. It doesnt nourish the soul.

 

[Narz]

It's true ... but it kinda depends what group you are in. But i know it's not what you were refering to.
I remember a large party i went to in high school. Mostly everyone there was having a good time; i ,of course ,wasn't doing anything (not that i remember) but seeing that the people i know and like are having a good time around me made me feel happy. The strange thing is, i didn't drink much. I usually drink a lot at these kinds of parties to maintain a level of happiness. But at this part i only drank 1 glass of gin-tonic the whole night, which is 1/4 of the usual amount. I never felt the need to drink that night, the happiness in the air was enough.

Yeah, times like that are sweet.

Maybe ... but some of the world's greatest people had some limits self-imposed. It depends on the limits. In general, it is good; but individually ... it depends on the individual.

I agree, some limits are good. But I think the more avenues (not necessarily dosage) of pleasure one has access to, the less likely one is to get stuck becoming obessive about any particular one (the main three seeming to be food, sex and intoxication).

I don't know of any cases around me where the parents taught their children to be happy. It would be a great thing indeed.

I disagree strongly - much unhappiness and addictive behavior can derive directly from overdone sensuality et al.

I agree that overdone sensuality does not bring happiness. But generally people feel the need to overdo things because they have trouble feeling in the first place. I don't need to have sex with ten women if I can get true satisfaction from one, I don't need to eat a whole pizza pie when not even particularly hungry if I just relax and enjoy the smell of the pie.

I would say instead that all addictive behavior is the result of a lack of happiness. One reply to that could be 'Well, wouldnt more sensual pleasure bring happiness to a person and help him stay away from addictions?' I dont think so. Physical pleasure after all is one of those addictive behaviors people use to feel good, or 'happy'. The more unhappy a person is, in his mind or 'soul' or heart (whatever youre more comfortable calling it), the more likely he is to try and find contentment through physical sensations. Physical pleasure is an important part of life, and theres nothing wrong with it, but theres often too much emphasis placed on it. Physical pleasure is a spice, its not food. It doesnt nourish the soul.

I don't know, sometimes the pleasure of taking a walk on a cool night, feeling all the sensations associated with it, does nourish my soul.

I agree that seeking most of the "sensational" experiences advertised in the Yellow Pages (or the back of the Village Voice ) is probably not going to bring happiness though. One of my whole points here is to e x p a n d the meaning of pleasure to be more encompassing (as opposed to just conjuring up images of palaces, harems and all-you-can-eat buffets).

 

[Eukaryote]

Unhappieness is caused by a lack of pleasure, excess torment, and a negitive atitude.

 

[CruddyLeper]

Is all unhappiness & "addictive" behavior the result of the lack of sensual pleasure?

It can be, but not always, and it's a lot more subtle than that.

Addictive behaviour results from pleasure gained through an activity (psychological addiction). Physical addiction isn't the same thing.

Unhappiness can result in addictive behaviour, but so can happiness. Often when people are depressed, it's a trigger to get more active and hence less depressed.

It's the depression that often kicks you up the behind to do something positive. It's not always a bad thing.

It becomes a problem when you are so depressed that you cannot kick off and do something positive. That's like out of control depression.

 

[WillJ]

You're free to disagree, but Narz, I think if you expand the meaning of "sensual pleasure" to include such things as spiritual exploration and reading informative textbooks, you're just asking for confusion. (I'd rather use the more encompassing word "happiness.")

As I see it, addictive behavior tends to be the self-destructive pursuit of sensual pleasure (in its limited meaning) when the individual fails to achieve any higher form of happiness (namely love, intellectual stimulation, and for some, spiritual enlightenment).

 

[Narz]

Perhaps I am misusing the word Mr. J but when it comes down to it isn't everything we think and/or feel sensual?

 

[WillJ]

Perhaps I am misusing the word Mr. J but when it comes down to it isn't everything we think and/or feel sensual?

I don't think so. Our senses connect us to the outside world. But once we take in that information, we have to sort it out and draw personal conclusions from it in our "own" world, our mind. You might see a flower and be delighted by it; I might see the same flower and think it's ugly and wilted. We had the same sensual experience, but a different inner-mind (can't think of a better word) experience.

 

[Narz]

I don't think so. Our senses connect us to the outside world. But once we take in that information, we have to sort it out and draw personal conclusions from it in our "own" world, our mind. You might see a flower and be delighted by it; I might see the same flower and think it's ugly and wilted. We had the same sensual experience, but a different inner-mind (can't think of a better word) experience.

Well I guess perhaps I should say that it is important to fine tune our awareness of & appreciation of sensual experience (like a wine connoisseur). Become tuned in to all the good in our lives as and notice the small things.

 

[WillJ]

Well I guess perhaps I should say that it is important to fine tune our awareness of & appreciation of sensual experience (like a wine connoisseur). Become tuned in to all the good in our lives as and notice the small things.

That I certainly agree with.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

I agree that seeking most of the "sensational" experiences advertised in the Yellow Pages (or the back of the Village Voice )

Ive heard of those, its disgracefull

One of my whole points here is to e x p a n d the meaning of pleasure to be more encompassing (as opposed to just conjuring up images of palaces, harems and all-you-can-eat buffets).

Ok, I know what you mean now, but then what youre saying is that not just sex, or the other usual suspects when people think of sensual pleasures, just being alive is itself a sensual experience, and should be enjoyed to the fullest. Thats true, I have no disagreement with that.

 

[Narz]

Bozo & I agree, 'tis the dawn of a new era of human awareness and understanding!

 

[mdwh]

Regarding unhappiness, you need to be careful to avoid a taulogy - yes, unhappiness is caused by a lack of "things which make us happy", but that's obvious.

I disagree that addiction is caused by a lack of pleasure - on the contrary, many things which people are addicted to are a form of pleasure, be it sex or drugs, and the pleasure is one reason why they keep doing it.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Bozo & I agree, 'tis the dawn of a new era of human awareness and understanding!

Im so happy..why, I could eat raw corn cobs! [/teeth shattering sound effect]

 

[Birdjaguar]

Most unhappiness comes from not getting what we want. Sometimes getting what we want is the source of our unhappiness. Wanting less will reduce one's unhappiness.

 

[Narz]

Most unhappiness comes from not getting what we want. Sometimes getting what we want is the source of our unhappiness. Wanting less will reduce one's unhappiness.

How that working out for you?

 

[Birdjaguar]

How that working out for you?

Pretty well. I look at things where I have an active stake (work, marriage, interaction with others, etc.) and make every effort to make sure my input is the best it can be. I have learned to accept the immediate outcomes whatever they are and view them as a minor event in life's living. I recognize that most of what I want to happen is just "what I want to happen". Other people want other things to happen. Why not let them have their way? Unless not getting what I want will have very serious known consequences, will it matter tomorrow? Next week? In two years? Probably not.

Does it mean beng a stupid pushover? No. It means doing the best you can and working with the results to make those are the best they can be. Conflicts between strong egos and the need to get what one wants, are a huge waste of effort and source of stress. Being able to "walk away" can be very powerful. Not having a "personal agenda" aften persuades people to give you more power. I try to find a way to give it back to them.

 

[Narz]

Thanks! I was expecting a curt answer. I like your attitude. The world needs more men like you.