Are there other paradoxes analogous to the so-called "Paradox of Hedonism"?
July 16, 2020 at 5:19 am
(This post was last modified: July 16, 2020 at 5:22 am by Porcupine.)
Are there other paradoxes analogous to the so-called "Paradox of Hedonism"?
To quote from the Wikipedia article on the matter the Paradox of Hedonism:
I think I first something similar when I was a small child when I would struggle with insomnia and barely sleep properly compared to other children.
Then, one day, my frustration at my difficulties with sleeping started to bother me even more than the lack of sleep itself and I told myself, basically, "I don't care if I struggle sleeping anymore. I just don't want to be frustrated like this."
That night I stopped trying to sleep and that night I had the best sleep I'd had in years. I've been able to sleep better ever since.
So what I wonder is ... how many similar paradoxes are there?
I think I have identified a few and I'd be interested to know your thoughts on the following.
1. The Paradox of Pragmatism: Trying to be pragmatic tends to lead to frustration at failing to find anything useful. Seeking the truth for its own sake tends to more likely lead to discoveries that end up being useful by accident.
2. The Paradox of Consequentialism: Actively trying to directly practice consequentialism tends to lead to more negative consequences.
3. The Paradox of Trying to Find Oneself: Going on a trip to "find oneself" leads to your self being nowhere to be find.
4. The Paradox of Trying to Lose Oneself: Trying to lose your sense of self leads to constantly bumping into your self.
Those are a few that I think apply. Any discoveries I have made are, of course, not unique to me.
Thoughts? And would you say that this is interesting and not total B.S. or not interesting and total B.S? I have put up a poll on that matter.
To quote from the Wikipedia article on the matter the Paradox of Hedonism:
Quote: refers to the practical difficulties encountered in the pursuit of pleasure. For the hedonist, constant pleasure-seeking may not yield the most actual pleasure or happiness in the long run—or even in the short run, when consciously pursuing pleasure interferes with experiencing it.
I think I first something similar when I was a small child when I would struggle with insomnia and barely sleep properly compared to other children.
Then, one day, my frustration at my difficulties with sleeping started to bother me even more than the lack of sleep itself and I told myself, basically, "I don't care if I struggle sleeping anymore. I just don't want to be frustrated like this."
That night I stopped trying to sleep and that night I had the best sleep I'd had in years. I've been able to sleep better ever since.
So what I wonder is ... how many similar paradoxes are there?
I think I have identified a few and I'd be interested to know your thoughts on the following.
1. The Paradox of Pragmatism: Trying to be pragmatic tends to lead to frustration at failing to find anything useful. Seeking the truth for its own sake tends to more likely lead to discoveries that end up being useful by accident.
2. The Paradox of Consequentialism: Actively trying to directly practice consequentialism tends to lead to more negative consequences.
3. The Paradox of Trying to Find Oneself: Going on a trip to "find oneself" leads to your self being nowhere to be find.
4. The Paradox of Trying to Lose Oneself: Trying to lose your sense of self leads to constantly bumping into your self.
Those are a few that I think apply. Any discoveries I have made are, of course, not unique to me.
Thoughts? And would you say that this is interesting and not total B.S. or not interesting and total B.S? I have put up a poll on that matter.
"Zen … does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes." - Alan Watts
