OK, so let's consider this: You are high on acid when I find you standing on the edge of a roof of a tall building, wearing a cape you made from a sheet. The cape has a big red H drawn on it. You've also drawn one on your bear chest, and are shouting as loud as you can, "I am Hedonist Man!"...
Then your ultimate question here is not, "Should I go on living?" Is it? Seems to me that as soon as you say, "Should I..." or "I should..." you are taking about what choice is best to make. To me, deciding what to say, think about or do is morality. But are you saying such choices for you are...
I can understand that. Instead of saying, "If it feels good, do it!" we shall in this case say, "If it feels good, it's worth doing and valuable to do, and whether or not it is moral has nothing to do with its value or worth for our lives." For we are talking about the effects our thoughts...
So let us see how far she will go:
our minds are wired in such a way that when we have a good thought about something, then that sends a pleasure signal to the brain which then gives us the experience of pleasant emotions.
Our minds are wired to send these pleasant emotional signals, because we...
Thanks for waiting patiently. It was a busy weekend.
Are you thinking we should abandon your previous argument in favor of this new one? Or would you prefer we ride the previous defense of hedonism as far is she will take us and only leave her for dead if she collapses under the strain of the...
I suppose we might improvise our own definition of define, saying it means in our case, this: To determine the essential qualities, value or worth of whatever defines us as a human.
Yes, I concur. I think to appreciate beauty, emotions are indeed part of the experience. Still not convinced...
No problem! I think we both agree that logic determines whether or not one's actions have meaning. So I suppose the best option would be to chose a different definition of define. Do you suppose?
Then have you changed your mind about the meaning of the word define, which you are using?
1a. to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of <whatever defines us as human>
Or have you changed your mind about the idea that logic--rather than pleasant emotions--gives one's...
I'd say such a person would be stating the truth, no matter what the tone. Whether a person feels good or bad about what is thought, said or done makes no difference as to whether it is true.
Like the religious fanatic who listens to false teachers on TV. They say to her, "You don't need a...
OK, so how do we know what you say is true? We use logic, because that
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
(John 8)
Religious context aside, I find the...
You might ask why a life of logic and no good emotion has meaning. I think Jesus--whether he is God or not makes no difference if his words are true--said it best. Would you like to consider what he said?
Edit: Sorry, I left out the word no. :)
What I'm suggesting is this: While a life with no positive emotions has less value, it is not valueless. While a life free of pleasant feelings has less worth, it is not worthless. As long as such a life has logic to live by, it has purpose and meaning, which makes it valuable and worth living...