On the Pursuit of Pleasure

Matthew Hayden
In life, I find that what I enjoy most what I awake every morning to
do, what I look forward to experiencing, what I invest my energy and
resources to are those facets of life that bring me pleasure. It is for
pleasure that one who lives continues to do so. While it may be true that
humans endure, often intentionally, many situations which are not
pleasurable, perhaps even painful at times, we do this with the idea that our
present, uncomfortable endurance will yield a much desired and pleasurable
future in some way. If one were to live with the sole intent of achieving a
stable, safe, and lasting state of pleasure, I feel that this would be a life that
was well lived. For many, I think the idea of living for pleasure is associated
with sin or a lack of moral integrity. It is thought that although we have the
opportunity to pursue those actions, substances, frivolities, and lifestyles
that we would find pleasurable, to not do so somehow shows moral strength
or some other desirable characteristic. This is a falsity that has been allowed
to fester and cure in our minds to the point that we are quick to judge any of
those whom we see indulging in their desires if we deem them to be
excessive or immoral in nature. It is not my position that the pursuit of
pleasure could ever be immoral. Actions which are less than moral could
certainly arise through pleasures pursuit, however, this does not mean that
to seek out that which gives one a sense of well-being and happiness is
immoral. If one were to live a life without pleasure, I would question why one

would continue living at all. The pursuance of happiness with great passion is
what I feel gives life its meaning. I find nothing to suggest that there is any
truly objective meaning to exist or to be and in turn, I feel that one may act
to ameliorate any discomfort the state of living may bring by any means he
or she feels is appropriate for the lifestyle of which one accepts the
consequences of living.