Overvaluing Pleasure is Our Dumbest Mistake

Overvaluing pleasure is a dumb mistake, and human beings are, in fact, quite dumb. Nearly every philosopher concerned with ethics has acknowledged the fleeting and empty nature of base pleasures — food, alcohol, sex, drugs, and, these days, mindless screen-scrolling through the wasteland. They all acknowledge it, of course, because it is obvious — no one finds himself satisfied for long by overindulgence; indeed, at best he finds himself regretful, at worst regretful and ill. We know first-hand that pleasure is empty, and yet most humans waste themselves in vigorous pursuit of it anyway.

Acknowledge base forms of pleasure for what they are— fleeting, empty. One need not shun pleasure, as the ascetics do, but keep it on a short leash near the bottom of your priorities. Create and focus on lofty goals. Read hard books. Wake up early. Begin a daily practice modeled on Aurelius’ Meditations. Think about and pursue virtue. Engage in vigorous exercise every day your body will allow it, and be a harsh judge (on its own, this both inculcates a stronger will and creates a life-atmosphere less conducive to overindulgence). Stop drinking. Stop wasting time. Stop being dumb.