0 upvotes, 3 direct replies (showing 3)
View submission: /r/philosophy Open Discussion Thread | January 27, 2025
why does it put it in a grey area? Masochism is clear to me as certain people deriving pleasure from pain.
The hedonism isn't based on sensory things but the actual brain rewards they trigger. For example a masochist may come to associate physical pain with its corresponding reward completely destroying the conventional pain sensation normal associated with, a comparison would be with hard drugs users injecting themselves.
Comment by Non_binaroth_goth at 01/02/2025 at 18:29 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Also, there are people who have the willpower to force themselves off of drug addiction despite this rewarding mechanism. The "cold turkey" phenomenon also makes the hedonistic approach suspect, as it then flexes itself to meet the conditions.
We must assume that the addiction, reward, and longing to quit are all done from the same reward center if that theory is correct.
But then, why would someone have a longing to quit, or be able to quit cold turkey if we are only maximizing pleasure to avoid pain?
Comment by Non_binaroth_goth at 01/02/2025 at 18:25 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Yes, I understand the reward trigger mechanism.
Still, a sensory stimulus has to be present for that reward trigger to activate. Everyone has a different perception of what is "pleasing" and what is "painful" making testing the concept nearly impossible as theirs no way to guarantee people will always be pleased by the stimulus you are presenting them.
Comment by Non_binaroth_goth at 01/02/2025 at 18:22 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
A hedonist reward can't take place without a sensory stimulus?