Robert Wright crystallizes the essence of the hedonic treadmill theory in this quote from The Moral Animal: "The idea that one more dollar, one more dalliance, one more rung on the ladder will make us feel sated reflects a misunderstanding about human nature - a misunderstanding which is built into human nature; that we are designed to feel that the next great goal will bring bliss, and the bliss is designed to evaporate shortly after we get there."
posted by howtolive.org at
7:58 AM
3 Comments:
Allan Watts addresses the unending search for tommorow in most of his books - most notably, the Wisdom of Insecurity where he posits that life is for the now. To live for the conquest, the dream is to give up life for a promise that can't be fulfilled. Perhaps it is best addressed in the zen question "what, in this moment, is lacking?" The unspoken answer is nothing.
By
Anonymous, at 8:20 PM
Humans are most content when striving.
Thinking that attaining a goal will bring everlasting peace is indeed a misunderstanding of human nature, but I think that most people understand that achieving goals brings satisfaction, not an end to goal-setting.
There's always another mountain to climb.
By
Oroborous, at 5:34 AM
anon - I've only read one Alan Watts book so I don't have anything useful to say about his specific philosophy, but I do think it's necessary to strike a balance between present and future. Not considering the future at all is a recipe for poor decision-making. But I agree that thinking only of the future and not at all of the present is a mistake as well.
oroborous - Good point. Anyone who climbs because they think reaching the summit will give them lasting happiness is being tricked by their genes. But anyone who climbs the mountain because they enjoy the climb can be happy climbing mountains.
By
howtolive.org, at 8:40 AM
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