Which is your priority, searching for pleasure or meaning?

[sidjameson]

One school of thought is that a life full of pleasures will never produce contentment. Man needs meaning.

What do the righteous posters of AN have to say?

Me, I prioritise meaning but fall back into the pleasures all too often.

[KannikaP]

It's Christmas Season FFS. Leave this until next year please.

 

[Lacessit]

Shelter, food and reproduction is the meaning of life. Pleasure is a bonus.

[KannikaP]

2 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Shelter, food and reproduction is the meaning of life. Pleasure is a bonus.

Does one not get pleasure from good food, a nice place to live and, of course, trying to reproduce?

For me personally, in that order. 555

[RSD1]

Three meals a day 

Three dumps a day 

Three nuts a day 

Three chocolates a day 

Three joints a day

 

DONE.

 

Dont overthink it. 

[gearbox]

1 hour ago, sidjameson said:

One school of thought is that a life full of pleasures will never produce contentment. Man needs meaning.

What do the righteous posters of AN have to say?

Me, I prioritise meaning but fall back into the pleasures all too often.

Most of the low class posting here is after pleasure, but many can't afford it. Myself, life needs to be difficult and uncomfortable to get sense of achievement. There is plenty of time to rest 2m under the ground.

[Will B Good]

1 hour ago, sidjameson said:

Man needs meaning........

 

...and I mean to get as much pleasure as i can.

[OneMoreFarang]

I think if we are grown up humans, without too much mental damage, then we adjust our behavior constantly.

I like pleasure, I like meaning. I don't plan to do this a few hours or days, and then the other one.

I just do what feels right. And that's how I end up with meaning and pleasure.

[phetphet]

I just want an easy, stress free, comfortable life...but I have to go to Immigration next month.

[atpeace]

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Shelter, food and reproduction is the meaning of life. Pleasure is a bonus.

I have shelter and an abundance of food.  At this point in my life both take no effort.   Pleasure is also not too difficult to find.  Pleasure seeking is fun but after a while ( decades for me 🙂 ) it became less enticing. 

 

I'm now doing things that aren't pleasurable in the moment because I anticipate they will provide long term satisfaction and more meaning.  I think I'm on the right path for this phase of my life but only time will tell...

[London Lowf]

30 minutes ago, phetphet said:

I just want an easy, stress free, comfortable life...but I have to go to Immigration next month.

 

Same here. I dread my twice yearly extensions more than going to the dentist, although they are both invariably quite painless and only take a couple of hours out of my life at most.

 

I look around me when I am in the UK and most people seem to get “meaning” from work, personal relationships and raising a family – I’m now retired and have never had the personality to make personal sacrifices and therefore I have no family and no circle of friends.

Up until a few years ago, I used to get “meaning” from competitive sport and exercise but am no longer fit or strong enough for that, although I do try to avoid a sedentary lifestyle – I am at am age where my main priority is keeping on top of my numerous minor ailments – quote: “Wake up every day, that would be a start!”

I am financially secure for the rest of my life and my overwhelming goal these days is avoiding the cold – I despise it and it screws up my body!  I still get immense enjoyment from casual sex with much younger women, albeit only once a week these days, and am more than happy to pay for it – spending six months each year in Thailand during the UK cold seasons is the perfect for me!

I’m hoping to come back as a cat!

 

[EVENKEEL]

A few cold beers, a joint, a cigar while sitting on the beach. A dip in the water between beers. All this gives me pleasure while contemplating life.

[scubascuba3]

Meaning? 555

[Hummin]

8 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Does one not get pleasure from good food, a nice place to live and, of course, trying to reproduce?

For me personally, in that order. 555

Never had the need to reproduce. The world doesnt deserve a Mini Me. 

 

Meaning? Well nothing gives true meaning in this world, but trying to take care of the people and animals I care for and love, do give some pleasure and meaning. 

 

Clean food, air, water and exercise give meaning, as well learning something I didn't know or couldn't do. 

 

 

[KannikaP]

12 hours ago, London Lowf said:

Same here. I dread my twice yearly extensions more than going to the dentist

Oh, I am so happy I only go to IO once a year, but get my teeth cleaned twice. I am SOOO lucky.

[bkk6060]

I think if people had a career with meaning and family as a priority for 30 + years, they have the right to seek pleasure now if the wish.  That is what I do.

[nikmar]

Not sure about meaning - I read a bit if that counts - but I concentrate on maintaining a healthy work / play balance. 

[Andre0720]

Oh, search for meaning... I once tried that.....