I think it is important to distinguish between two things: joys and pleasures. In this short essay, I will attempt to unravel these oft-conflated phenomena.
Pleasures are universal things that every human is capable of experiencing. It is not hard to enumerate them, e.g. good food, good sleep and good sex. In fact, I do not think there are any more than the aforementioned three. Encoded in our biology, these pleasures are fundamental pursuits of man and hence our first tryst with the notion of happiness gets anchored to the feelings of pleasure. No pleasures, no happiness. As one grows and finds that acquisition of pleasures no longer suffices to maintain happiness, one begins to explore the meaning of happiness itself. It becomes vaguely certain that it is not feeling pleasures. This is usually the onset of the quarter-life crisis, a tough period without doubt.
In the "it ain't pleasures" period that inevitably dawns on any individual with a deep mind, lots of confusion ensues. Bad decisions are taken and unhealthy choices are made because one doesn't know what gives one perennial happiness. An extreme but common example of unhealthy choice is the use of pleasure giving drugs. But these drugs are fundamentally nothing but an enhancement of the original pleasures and it is not surprising that they do not satisfactorily get us out of this phase. Yet, they might seem like the only solution with a tangible effect in that moment. It is hard to see the opportunity cost that is lost when one only chases a higher effect of a known pleasure. How do we not fall in this pitfall and correct the course of our lives? I think culture (or religion) keeps one tethered to certain lifestyle. These rules, even if unanalysed, buy us the commodity that is necessary to make any progress: time.
As time progresses and not much has been gained (and nothing has been vitally harmed), new "things" seem to emerge. You may stumble into a book that increases your curiosity and makes you wonder about things, you may become good at your job and "feel productive" i.e. you can see that you created something of value to the world, you might discover some other interest (common or obscure) that you increasingly devote time to or you may just find spending time with certain people as lot of fun. These "things" we can call as joys. The fundamental difference from pleasures is that it is unique to each individual. The era of "it ain't pleasures" begins to end as man discovers his fundamental joys and ends when he has solidified his joys and made it part of his daily lifestyle.
Finishing thoughts. It may be gradual or it may be abrupt but as time passes, life re-anchors the meaning of happiness for every person. A life anchored in the pursuit of joys is a very rich life as joys can be many (recall that there are only 3 pleasures). You discover them, you create them and it is in your control. When feeling unhappy, look up your catalog of joys and pick one. If none works, then maybe it's time for rediscovery. Or just a good night's sleep.
Pleasures are universal things that every human is capable of experiencing. It is not hard to enumerate them, e.g. good food, good sleep and good sex. In fact, I do not think there are any more than the aforementioned three. Encoded in our biology, these pleasures are fundamental pursuits of man and hence our first tryst with the notion of happiness gets anchored to the feelings of pleasure. No pleasures, no happiness. As one grows and finds that acquisition of pleasures no longer suffices to maintain happiness, one begins to explore the meaning of happiness itself. It becomes vaguely certain that it is not feeling pleasures. This is usually the onset of the quarter-life crisis, a tough period without doubt.
In the "it ain't pleasures" period that inevitably dawns on any individual with a deep mind, lots of confusion ensues. Bad decisions are taken and unhealthy choices are made because one doesn't know what gives one perennial happiness. An extreme but common example of unhealthy choice is the use of pleasure giving drugs. But these drugs are fundamentally nothing but an enhancement of the original pleasures and it is not surprising that they do not satisfactorily get us out of this phase. Yet, they might seem like the only solution with a tangible effect in that moment. It is hard to see the opportunity cost that is lost when one only chases a higher effect of a known pleasure. How do we not fall in this pitfall and correct the course of our lives? I think culture (or religion) keeps one tethered to certain lifestyle. These rules, even if unanalysed, buy us the commodity that is necessary to make any progress: time.
As time progresses and not much has been gained (and nothing has been vitally harmed), new "things" seem to emerge. You may stumble into a book that increases your curiosity and makes you wonder about things, you may become good at your job and "feel productive" i.e. you can see that you created something of value to the world, you might discover some other interest (common or obscure) that you increasingly devote time to or you may just find spending time with certain people as lot of fun. These "things" we can call as joys. The fundamental difference from pleasures is that it is unique to each individual. The era of "it ain't pleasures" begins to end as man discovers his fundamental joys and ends when he has solidified his joys and made it part of his daily lifestyle.
Finishing thoughts. It may be gradual or it may be abrupt but as time passes, life re-anchors the meaning of happiness for every person. A life anchored in the pursuit of joys is a very rich life as joys can be many (recall that there are only 3 pleasures). You discover them, you create them and it is in your control. When feeling unhappy, look up your catalog of joys and pick one. If none works, then maybe it's time for rediscovery. Or just a good night's sleep.
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