This (hideously low engagement) Tweet was the result of some hard thinking after an online discussion among friends about hedonism. After deeper introspection, I decided to write this article about my thoughts on the issue.
The Premise
When I was younger and living in a foggy haze of booze and partying, I feel I had more ‘interesting’ ideas and was more creative. Whether or not this is true is impossible to pin down as there’s no way of objectively measuring it, but I felt more intelligent. Whereas back then I was more inspired, I now feel wiser (and a shit-ton happier).
During this time I’ve changed a lot and it may be nostalgia/selective memory causing these feelings. I’m definitely open to that interpretation. However, I’m going to run with the idea that I was smarter back then – even though it may not be true.
Fuck it; this is my blog after all. I get to choose what to write.
So, in keeping with modern journalism we have a flawed premise.
Time to start indoctrinating.
Definitions
To begin with I should define what I mean by ‘intelligence’. In this circumstance I’m referring to abstract thinking and creativity; the ability to connect certain, seemingly unrelated, dots to piece together the bigger picture. This is a more philosophical or academic style thinking.
I’m defining ‘wiser’ as making the correct decisions to move my life forward; an ability to successfully prioritise and follow through; knowing how the world actually works (as opposed to how I think it could/should work) and being able to manipulate that to my desires. This is a more pragmatic way of thinking.
Quick side point, manipulate has intrinsic negative connotations, but in this context shouldn’t. It means using the game of life to my own advantage.
The greater intelligence I had when partying it up was likely related to the alternate mind spaces I was accessing, through hangovers, lack of sleep, staying up late into the night – and other behaviours – which created differing thought patterns. This allowed me to think in ways which were novel. However, it had major downsides for my mental health, happiness and life success.
Wisdom Vs Intelligence
There’s a history in Buddhism of some masters finding enlightenment through hedonistic living. Whilst it may be a peculiar type of person who can reach it in this way, there’s some merit to the idea.
Although it may not have been optimal, during this era I had a cohesive philosophy and thought deeply about many topics.
I still have a philosophy for life, but it’s less cohesive. I think less about the intricacies of issues, and far more practically. As I say, this makes me a wiser individual. Nevertheless, if I were to debate my perspective I have little faith in my ability to argue strongly my case.
Instead, my life and my achievements are my argument.
This is the fundamental difference between the two conflicting opinions. One has a greater emphasis on idealistic, rhetorical victories, the other practical, quantifiable wins.
We can characterize this as the Roman Vs the Greek.
You will often see these two positions do ideological battle on Twitter, or at least see people who have these opposing attitudes arguing for different things.
Both want to be superior – and whilst I lean more towards wisdom over intellect, everyone should merge the two.
On a personal level, I want to redevelop a more cohesive personal philosophy. For the past 3 years – since I turned around my life – I’ve been entirely focused on what works. Whilst I don’t want to lose that entirely, I’m at a point where I need to merge this with a philosophy which I can argue for more eloquently.
This is something I urge you, reader, to do too. Realistically, we all need to work on one side of this. All of us need to either improve our practical position, or our rationale. Self-improvement never finishes; thinking it can is extreme arrogance.
Does it fit?
Heading back to the original discussion which prompted these thoughts, there was a general consensus that it’s positive to go through the hedonistic process. We need to ‘try on different hats’ to see what fits.
Honestly, this is a great rationalistion for the people who DO get through it (including myself), but looking at my past, looking at friends – both old and new – who are still ‘stuck’ in this mode of life, it’s obvious that the fields of hedonistic pursuit are littered with casualties.
Some literal deaths, some spiritual deaths and a whole lot of quality of life death. This makes me wonder – is it really worth it?
Just because we got through it – and the group I was talking with are all pretty exceptional people – was our experience of hedonism worth the trades of other people’s lives, health, happiness? Is it worth the damage to society, the absolving of responsibility, the prioritisation of personal pleasure over community cohesion?
Is putting off responsibility by 5 years, a decade – or however long it takes to grow out of – a good thing, particularly for women and the spectre of the biological clock?
What about the regret, the dangerous situations we all – but particularly women – place ourselves in; the poor choices which ripple into our understanding of the future?
How about the lingering health consequences that can come about as a result of mindless hedonism? The sexual issues? The increased likelihood of cancer? The energy loss?
Is this all worth it for the sake of ‘trying on a different hat?’
I’m not sure it is.
Alcohol was my vice and I suffered for years with pain in my abdomen (presumably my liver or stomach) even after repenting. I still drink on occasion – I’m not a puritan – and the dull ache has stopped now, but who knows what permanent damage was done.
These are problems we cannot rationalise away by saying: ‘well we have to try it and see if it works’.
The Forbidden Fruit
Another argument put forward is that anyone who wasn’t a hedonist when they were younger will become one when they’re older. And yes, those who have not lived through the darkness of true hedonism may wish to taste what they can openly see, but perceive as a forbidden fruit.
There is a problem with this. It can fuel mid-life crises. However, I’d argue it’s only an issue because the temptation exists and is glorified. If hedonistic abandon wasn’t exulted, I’m not sure people would feel the same way. At the very least, less would.
It was also noticeable that amongst us all no-one (admitted) to continuing living hedonistically, implying that they prefer life without its abandon. In itself, this is telling.
Doing something for a period of time, then stopping leaves us with a position of nostalgia. We can whimsically look back on the good times, the laughs, the jokes and ignore the feelings of nihilism and despair accompanying it.
I look back on that time of my life negatively, so yes, I too am influenced by a bias – albeit not a nostalgic one. It wasn’t all bad, of course. I’m not going to sit here and deny that I had some great fun and have some fantastic stories, but overall my outlook on my experience is not a positive one.
The Folly of Scientism
It is worth noting too that almost all major religions have some element of puritanism. They all preach limiting – or outright abstinence of – alcohol and there’s no major religion which doesn’t support marriage and encourages sexual promiscuity.
Religion takes a lot of stick in modern life, but it was incredibly effective in maintaining social cohesion and forming stable societies. We wouldn’t have reached this state of civilization without its influence and control. So when all major religions decry something (such as promiscuity, or hedonism) we would do well to listen.
With the primacy of science, society in general has derided and ignored religious teachings. There is the arrogant perception that we now know better.
However, humans haven’t got more intelligent with the inception of the scientific method. We are still fundamentally the same, despite having made great strides in some areas. It’s undeniable we now have an understanding of core, foundational concepts of the world (I personally would never claim to know how this laptop I’m typing on works, however) and have unleashed a form of magic through technology; but this hasn’t improved our intellect.
And when it comes to knowledge, we’ve lost as much as we’ve gained.
Humans have always uncovered insights about the world. When we throw something out as old-fashioned and uncivilised, it’s because we no longer comprehend the conception of the world which led to that conclusion.
This is the hubris of our society and its preoccupation with science. When our culture ignores alternative interpretations of the world it tosses out a wealth of human knowledge.
The Curse of Children?
Further to this, a society which embraces hedonism, one – such as ours – that throws its full-weight behind the phenomenon is unlikely to maintain stability. The health consequences and creation of uneven, unpredictable social actors ripples throughout, creating dangerous second-order effects.
This is clear to me. For example, we have entire swathes of the population who no longer wish to have children. Anti-natalism is considered as a legitimate philosophical position, rather than a symptom of a diseased mind. Honestly, the position is so self-defeating that I cannot even comprehend it.
Having children is integral to our existence. Just look at individual reactions to infertility; it is personally destructive. Yet in modernity, people willingly usher in what is one of the most crushing events that can happen to a person.
Infertility itself is an increasing trend; a trend surrounding an issue which is taboo, and therefore under-talked about. Part of this rise can be attributed to hedonistic abandon. When our brains and bodies don’t stop truly developing until we are 25, spending the ages of 16-25 boozing and partying is going to have effects – including on reproductive capability.
Whilst the impact of diet is clear in this too, ignoring hedonistic pursuits because we indulged with them in the past seems wildly irresponsible to me.
Maybe I’m a hypocrite for writing this. After all, I was an arch hedonist growing up.
But, it was a mistake; a mistake I don’t want others to repeat.
Thanks for reading.
I’ve been in England for the past few weeks. As a result, my content had slowed down hugely – both on here and Twitter.
I’m back in my routine now, which includes more consistent content creation.
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