Yes, I think people would like to think they aren't so materialistic and pleasure seeking, but they are - including myself...well, I'm trying my best...
__________________ "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
-Voltaire
"That includes ruining Halloween because someone swallowed a Bible."
"I just thought you were a guy."
"... Most guys do."
I find that morality has been pretty much constant throughout the ages.
In the Victorian times, affairs were just as constant, except they were done in private. This reflected the social implications of fornification , which have gradually diminished over time. Pleasuring oneself (sexually) has always been noticeable
I cannot say whether hedonistic behavior (pleasure yourself up) has changed, and I admit that many a times I have indulged in what I perceive to be sinful thoughts. (I myself strive for a more ascetic lifestyle, happiness via spiritual fulfillment, not physical).
The truth is, in any age there is a fair share of hedonists, comparetively less number of ascetics, and a fair share of people in between. During the time of Galileo, even the pope was rumoured to have illegitimate children! I would consider myself someone in between striving to become an ascetic (I am Orthodox Christian).
Last edited by zephiel7 on Jul 5th, 2006 at 01:55 AM
Gender: Male Location: Drifting off around the bend
Hedonism is practiced by everyone, including Christians etc.
The issue is when they gain that pleasure or that pain, and what things give pleasure or pain.
A Christian is seeking heaven/pleasure and avoiding hell/pain. He does good, which is his form of pleasure in that it brings him closer to heaven. He avoids sin, which is his form of pain in that it leads him to hell. Even if describing it in the immediate the thought of the movement closer or further from heaven causes psychological "pain." All religions are similar in some way, not necessarily heaven and hell, but gaining good or avoiding bad in some way.
And everyone else is stupid if they think they are not hedonistic, it all depends on the individual what form their pleasure and pain takes.
I think the best course of action is to define the term "hedonistic".
It's such an ambigious term. Thinking black people should have the same rights as a white person might be considered "hedonistic" to some, or gay relationships, or abortion or any number of things.
Of course, once someone defines, absolutely, the term...them morals can be legislated. Which is impro'bible'.
__________________ "If I were you"
"If you were me, you'd know the safest place to hide...is in sanity!
Sometimes what a Christian does, does not necessarily bring them any satisfaction or enjoyment. What a christian believes to be right may not always bring their body the satisfaction that it craves. Nor the mind the peace that it longs for.
For example, engaging in sexual activity may bring them physical pleasure, and perhaps give them some psychological edge, however their beliefs prevent them from indulging in such activities. As such the christian is sacrificing pleasure for enlightenment.
Even the most honorable motivations are hedonistic. In the end everything we do is because we want to feel better ourselves. The only difference is in how we try to accomplish this. A fireman or cop saves lives, but does so to feel good about him/herself eventually.