In this interesting interview with the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman, he says that he 'kills pleasure' by indulging too much in it. Saying- He takes too much of it and that there is no pleasure he hasn't made himself sick on! Do you suppose that chase for a high is more prevalent in people who are unhappy to begin with?
There are a few other key points he makes. That when he looks back on his life, he asks: 'Was I really happy or, was I just not aware?' I think probably many people here can relate to that. I imagine most people here are very introspective. So- can we be too introspective? Can that ever bring happiness? I suppose only if a person is entirely comfortable with themselves and what they have.
Also, the difference between pleasure and happiness. I would agree with Hoffman- that they can be two separate things. I tend to think pleasure can bring happiness but- only if we are free enough from other problems to relax enough to enjoy it. I suppose I see happiness as somewhat fleeting but, pleasure can be even more transient.
He talks about his children at the end. That maybe they bring him the most happiness when they are happy. Which makes sense. I think human relationships/ interactions can be the most meanigful elements in our lives. Although, as an antinatalist, it troubles me deeply when people have children for that reason- to bring happiness and meaning into their own lives. Because they're subjecting a new sentient lifeform to all manner of danger in order to get that fix. Not to say that was his or other people's motives necessarily but, I sort of expect it is a lot of the time.
What are your experiences with pleasure vs. happiness?
