The term "hedonism" is derived from the Greek "hedone" meaning simply "pleasure". In common language, Hedonism has come to mean devotion to pleasure as a way of life, especially to the pleasures of the senses, and is synonymous with sensualism, libertinism, debauchery and dissipation.

Term

Hedonism is the philosophy that pleasure is the most important pursuit of mankind, and the only thing that is good for an individual. Hedonists, therefore, strive to maximize their total pleasure (the net of any pleasure less any pain or suffering). They believe that pleasure is the only good in life, and pain is the only evil, and our life's goal should be to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.

Philosophy

Psychological Hedonism is the view that humans are psychologically constructed in such a way that we exclusively desire pleasure. Ethical Hedonism, on the other hand, is the view that our fundamental moral obligation is to maximize pleasure or happiness. It is the normative claim that we should always act so as to produce our own pleasure.

Psychology

The Paradox of Hedonism (also called the Pleasure Paradox), points out that pleasure and happiness are strange phenomena that do not obey normal principles, in that they cannot be acquired directly, only indirectly and we often fail to attain pleasures if we deliberately seek them.

The Paradox

Hedonism usually pre-supposes an individualist stance, and is associated with Egoism (the claim that individuals should always seek their own good in all things). Epicureanism is a more moderate approach (which still seeks to maximize happiness, but which defines happiness more as a state of tranquillity than pleasure). A similar but more altruistic approach results in Utilitarianism, the position that the moral worth of any action is determined by its contribution to overall utility in maximizing happiness or pleasure as summed among all people.

Stance

philosophy

history

History

education

Learning & Education

politics

Politics

artsandculture

Society, Arts & Culture

HEDONISM

In various countries across Africa, tribal rituals involve dancing, singing, and clapping to ward off evil spirits believed to exploit eclipses to harm humans.

African Tribal Rituals:

People gather in public squares to watch the eclipse and exchange greetings, food, and sweets. They wish each other well during this unique astronomical event.

Syrian Eclipse Festival:

The Sun Dance is a spiritual and significant occasion for Navajo tribes, where people come together to eat, dance, and sing as part of their eclipse celebration.

Navajo Sun Dance:

Eclipses hold mystical significance in Indian culture, often seen as inauspicious times for eating or engaging in spiritual activities. Prayers, fasting, and donations are considered essential during these periods

Indian Eclipse Observations

Shamans and their followers conduct special rituals and prayers during the eclipse, believing they enhance spirituality and provide protection from evil spirits.

Shamanic Celebrations in Russia

♦️Exploring Global Eclipse Traditions: Dive into the diverse world of eclipse rituals and celebrations across cultures. From African tribal dances to Indian observances and shamanic rituals in Russia, explore the rich tapestry of beliefs and practices surrounding these celestial events.

Worldly Eclipses: A Journey into Dazzling Rituals and Diverse Cultures

Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.

The reasons for emigration are as diverse as the people who do emigrate ...Here are some examples for economic migration:<ul><li>poverty </li><li>desire for better economic opportunities and improved living conditions </li></ul>Other reasons for mass migration are:<ul><li>environmental catastrophes </li><li>religious persecution </li><li>political oppression </li><li>(civil) war</li></ul>As a consequence of these circumstances, people leave their former place in droves in search for liberty and safety.

Reasons for emigrating 🗺 👣

In times of an economic boom countries often recruit foreign workers:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">e.g. when Germany 🇩🇪 hired "guest workers" in the 1950s</li><li class="ql-align-justify">e.g. in the USA 🇺🇸 immigrants gave rise to the concept of the melting pot, where all ethnic identities were merged to the American one</li></ul>Sadly, wars are not only a historical topic, but an actual problem in many areas worldwide. A few sample are:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">PAST: After World War II Europe 🇪🇺 had to cope with millions of displaced people.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">NOW: As a consequence of Russia's 🇷🇺 - or rather Putin's - war of aggression against Ukraine 🇺🇦 many citizens flee to Europe. </li></ul>

Different groups who come to other countries 👥️ 🌍

REGARDLESS OF OUR DIFFERENCES, WE ARE ALL THE SAME - HUMANS! ♡

Millions of people worldwide risk their lives illegally crossing borders because of circumstances beyond their control. Many of them become victims of human traffickers who exploit their desperate situation. The dangerous passage to a new home frequently results in death, and the asylum seekers often face:<ul><li>discrimination</li><li> racism </li><li>xenophobia </li><li>resentment</li></ul>Anti-immigration groups claim that migrants ostensibly <ul><li>are a drain on society </li><li>call for too many benefits </li><li>take jobs away from locals</li></ul>But, these fears are not justified❗️

Negative responses to immigration 😞

It was already mentioned, that the ostensible opinions on immigration are not true. This is so, because immigrants:<ul><li>pay more taxes than locals </li><li>are often well-educated in their countries of origin</li><li>tend to be young and healthy (advantageous for countries suffering from demographic problems like an ageing population with a shrinking workforce that has to support a growing number of pensioners)</li><li>bring needed professional skills</li></ul>Immigration and migration in general:<ul><li>broaden our horizons</li><li>enrich our culture</li><li>create an atmosphere of tolerance </li><li>new cultural specialties become part of a local identity of a city </li></ul>

Positive aspects of immigration ☺️

Last but not least, I would like to point out some ideas for ensuring ethnic diversity which is an asset for every country.Here are some tips for promoting multiculturalism:<ul><li>learning about each other through social communication and socialising </li><li>encouraging open discussions </li><li>incorporating multicultural ideas</li><li>organising cultural exchange programs </li><li>promoting cross-cultural understanding and friendships </li><li>ensuring bilingual education </li><li>education people about cultural misconceptions and prejudices </li><li>highlighting positive contributions </li><li>advocating for policies </li><li>addressing systemic inequalities </li><li>collaborations</li><li>...</li></ul>

Establishing an open pluralistic multicultural environment 🫶🫂

In diversity, there is beauty and there is strength.

Have you ever thought of emigrating? Because many people do so or are even pretty much forced to do so. Thus, the question arises, how we can face the worldwide phenomenon of migration. 🌐👣🌍

problemsolving

Problem Solving

teamwork

Teamwork

Multiculturalism in a diverse world: immigration and integration 

Uncover the power of stoic philosophy to navigate modern challenges with grace and resilience, learning from the likes of Marcus Aurelius and Seneca to maintain inner calm in a chaotic world.

Discovering Strength in Stoicism

Embrace the teachings of Epicurus to find happiness in life's simple pleasures, creating a balance between desire and fulfillment that resonates with today's fast-paced lifestyle.

Epicurean Joy in Simplicity

Bored Karbatos’s book offers a collection of insightful quotes including quotes from famous Ancient Greeks partnered by personal insights, providing a modern-day connection to the timeless wisdom of ancient philosophers.<a href="https://boredkarbatos.com">Get a free copy of the preview today</a>!

"Insights Unveiled: A Journey Through Quotes"

Enhance your cognitive abilities and unlock deeper philosophical understanding with this <a href="https://28e11jngq10f5s3clfrl64zr11.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=deepk">quick audio exercise</a>, syncing your brain to the theta state to maximize brain power and insight.

7-Second Brain Activation Hack

Apply Aristotelian principles to cultivate moral character and achieve personal excellence, balancing practical wisdom with ethical living in the pursuit of a well-rounded life.

Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics in Action

Use<a href="https://freemeditationscripts.com/meditation-script/anxiety/calming-the-storm-a-free-guided-meditation-script-for-anxiety/"> free meditation scripts</a> to incorporate Buddhist mindfulness practices into your daily routine, enhancing mental clarity and

Meditating with the Mindfulness of Buddhism

Engage in self-reflection and critical thinking by adopting Socrates’s method of questioning, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself and the world to drive meaningful change.

The Socratic Method of Inquiry

Explore how Plato’s theory of forms can influence modern thought and creativity, providing a framework for understanding the ideals that shape our reality and aspirations.

Platonic Ideals and Real-World Applications

Can ancient wisdom unlock your potential today?

religionandspirituality

Religion & Spirituality

travel

Travel

Philosophical Reflections for the Modern Mind

"memory-based narrative production is intimately linked to patterns of political, economic, and cultural state accommodation for minorities."

"Just as citizens can use memories of violence to make cultural rights claims, state leaders may use memories for entirely different purposes, thus flagging the malleability of memory."

"Public narratives require an audience beyond the immediate affected community. Individuals and communities must be able to craft narratives that are intriguing or shocking enough to draw in outside listeners."

"different storytellers emphasize preferred aspects of a memory in order to make the resulting narratives more in line with their purposes."

"social memory may shift in order to be instrumentally useful to those doing the remembering."

"Collective memory is a social act constructed within the vehicle of narrative, which allows for memory dispersion and perpetuation."

Ethnic minority communities make claims for cultural rights from states in different ways depending on how governments include them in policies and practices of accommodation or assimilation. However, institutional explanations don’t tell the whole story, as individuals and communities also protest, using emotionally compelling narratives about past wrongs to justify their claims for new rights protections. Democratization and Memories of Violence: Ethnic minority rights movements in Mexico, Turkey, and El Salvador examines how ethnic minority communities use memories of state and paramilitary violence to shame states into cooperating with minority cultural agendas such as the right to mother tongue education. Shaming and claiming is a social movement tactic that binds historic violence to contemporary citizenship. Combining theory with empirics, the book accounts for how democratization shapes citizen experiences of interest representation and how memorialization processes challenge state regimes of forgetting at local, state, and international levels. Democratization and Memories of Violence draws on six case studies in Mexico, Turkey, and El Salvador to show how memory-based narratives serve as emotionally salient leverage for marginalized communities to facilitate state consideration of minority rights agendas. This book will be of interest to postgraduates and researchers in comparative politics, development studies, sociology, international studies, peace and conflict studies and area studies.

communication

Communication

books

Books

Mneesha Gellman

Democratization and Memories of Violence

The Help takes place between the summers of 1962 and 1964 in Jackson, Mississippi. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement, the novel focuses on a reckoning on race and segregation in a far more intimate sphere than the national stage: the home. Alternating between the perspectives of two Black maids, Aibileen and Minny, and one white woman, Skeeter, who’s mourning the disappearance of her own maid, The Help shows how personal prejudices and racist government policies influence each other to the detriment of everyone.

Introducing The Book

The Help explores themes of writing and storytelling, particularly the power of writing to expose unspoken social norms and laws. The novel's main conflict revolves around the book Skeeter, which focuses on the stories of Black maids working for white women. Writing exposes the racist and abusive behavior of these women, making the system of prejudice transparent and shamesome for some of them.Aibileen uses writing to express her prayers and stories. Skeeter, initially skeptical due to her lack of education, admires her writing, demonstrating that anyone can assert their power through stories.

The Power of Writing and Storytelling

The Help explores the complexity of relationships and the complex nature of people. The maids, who work for the characters, have conflicting feelings towards white women and their children. Skeeter's mother, Charlotte, is often cold and critical, but she still loves her. The book also highlights the complexity of individuals, such as Lou Anne's depression and her close friendship with Louvenia. Skeeter realizes that pigeonholes by race or economic status are futile and that celebrating people's differences would make society more fulfilling.

The Complexity of People and Relationships

The Help explores the societal judgment of race and appearance in Jackson society. The character Hilly Holbrook represents the negative perception of Black people, thus the laws. However, the novel also shows the absurdity of judging people based on appearance. Skeeter, a tall, unmanageable white character, and Aibileen, a fat child, emphasize the importance of inner qualities.Celia Foote, a white woman in Jackson, is ostracized by the white women due to her tackiness and marriage to Hilly's ex-boyfriend. Despite this, Celia is kinder and less prejudiced than the women she tries to impress.

The Deception of Appearances

I want to yell so loud that Baby Girl can hear me that dirty ain’t a color, disease ain’t the Negro side a town. I want to stop that moment from coming—and it come in every white child’s life—when they start to think that colored folks ain’t as good as whites.

The #1 New York Times bestselling novel and basis for the Academy Award-winning film—a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don’t—nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read. Aibileen is a black maid in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, who’s always taken orders quietly, but lately she’s unable to hold her bitterness back. Her friend Minny has never held her tongue but now must somehow keep secrets about her employer that leave her speechless. White socialite Skeeter just graduated college. She’s full of ambition, but without a husband, she’s considered a failure. Together, these seemingly different women join together to write a tell-all book about work as a black maid in the South, that could forever alter their destinies and the life of a small town...

parenting

Parenting

movies

Movies & Shows

Kathryn Stockett

The Help

Born in Ohio in 1925, James S Grotstein was an American psychiatrist and psychoanalyst.He was a key figure in the introduction of Kleinian ideas to Californian psychoanalysis, and a passionate follower of Bion’s work. He possessed great enthusiasm for life, as well as a lively sense of humour, a keen habit of punning and playing with language, and a love of tennis.

James Grotstein

Grotstein’s defining characteristics was a passionate, sustained desire to link what, to others, might appear very different – even irreconcilable – conceptual strains.“I myself am basically Kleinian – with a Bionian accent. I speak Winnicott and Fairbairn fluently, and Lacan less fluently. But I would never want to undertake an analysis without Kohut looking over my shoulder – as one of my highly treasured guides.”

Psychoanalytic multilingualism

From his first encounter with Bion’s ideas, Grotstein was a committed advocate of his work. He went on to be both supervised and analysed by him for 6 years. Grotstein himself was sometimes perplexed, though always enthralled, by Bion’s extensions of Kleinian and Freudian concepts. He was fascinated by Bion’s quite philosophical – indeed, spiritual – concept of ‘O’.

Klein and Bion Influence

Wilfred Bion's concept of O is his most mysterious idea, representing absolute truth and the mind necessary to apprehend it. It is also his most controversial idea, for it reflects infinite, unknowable, ultimate reality – all ideas that, like O, cannot be defined in logical terms.In a way O is a more transcendent version of the Unconscious.

Bion’s Concept of “O”

In his book, “Who Is the Dreamer Who Dreams the Dream? A Study of Psychic Presences”, James Grotstein integrates some of his most important work of recent years in addressing fundamental questions of human psychology and spirituality. He explores two quintessential and interrelated psychoanalytic problems:〰️ the nature of the unconscious mind and 〰️ the meaning and inner structure of human subjectivity.

Who Is the Dreamer, Who Dreams the Dream?

James Grotstein truly had, and never lost, the beginner’s attitude: he felt fascinated by what he was privileged to hear, see and think in relation to others.

The Beginner’s Mindset

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

mentalhealth

Mental Health

videos

Videos

James Grotstein – Psychoanalytic ‘multilingualism’

Women Who Run with the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estés is a rich tapestry of stories, myths, and folklore woven together to explore the feminine psyche and the wild woman archetype.

Estés introduces the concept of the "wild woman," an instinctual, primal aspect of the feminine psyche that is often suppressed or neglected in modern society. This archetype embodies intuition, creativity, and vitality, and it is symbolized by various mythological figures such as the wolf, the wise old woman, and the wild woman herself.

Wild Woman Archetype:

Throughout the book, Estés analyzes and interprets a wide range of myths, fairy tales, and folk stories from different cultures around the world. These stories serve as metaphors for the challenges, struggles, and transformations that women experience in their lives. By delving into these ancient narratives, Estés uncovers timeless wisdom and insights into the feminine journey.

Myths and Folktales:

Estés encourages women to reclaim their inner power and authenticity by embracing their instincts, intuition, and emotions. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with the natural world, honoring one's instincts, and trusting the wisdom of the body. Through storytelling and reflection, she guides readers on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Reclaiming Feminine Power:

The book offers guidance on how women can heal from past wounds, traumas, and societal conditioning. Estés explores the process of inner transformation, which involves confronting fears, embracing the shadow self, and reclaiming lost parts of the psyche. She offers tools, practices, and rituals for self-care, self-expression, and spiritual growth.

Healing and Transformation:

Estés highlights the importance of creativity and self-expression as essential aspects of feminine vitality. She encourages women to cultivate their creative talents, whether through art, writing, dance, or other forms of expression. Creativity, she argues, is a powerful force for healing, liberation, and self-discovery.

Creative Expression:

"Women Who Run with the Wolves" is a deeply insightful and empowering book that resonates with women seeking to reconnect with their inner strength, intuition, and authenticity. It celebrates the wild, untamed spirit within every woman and offers guidance on how to live a more vibrant, fulfilling life in harmony with one's true nature.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • One million copies sold! “A deeply spiritual book [that] honors what is tough, smart and untamed in women.”—The Washington Post Book World Book club pick for Emma Watson’s Our Shared Shelf Within every woman there lives a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing. She is the Wild Woman, who represents the instinctual nature of women. But she is an endangered species. For though the gifts of wildish nature belong to us at birth, society’s attempt to “civilize” us into rigid roles has muffled the deep, life-giving messages of our own souls. In Women Who Run with the Wolves, Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés unfolds rich intercultural myths, fairy tales, folk tales, and stories, many from her own traditions, in order to help women reconnect with the fierce, healthy, visionary attributes of this instinctual nature. Through the stories and commentaries in this remarkable book, we retrieve, examine, love, and understand the Wild Woman, and hold her against our deep psyches as one who is both magic and medicine. Dr. Estés has created a new lexicon for describing the female psyche. Fertile and life-giving, it is a psychology of women in the truest sense, a knowing of the soul.

sciencefiction

Science Fiction

Clarissa Pinkola Estés Phd

Women Who Run with the Wolves

Pirsig's main concept is "Quality," an intuitive value that guides our actions and forms reality. It bridges the subjective and objective worlds.

Quality

The author differentiates between rational, analytical classical understanding and intuitive, artistic romantic understanding. Both are needed for a full grasp of the world.

Classical and Romantic Understanding

The book introduces a new philosophy where Quality is the fundamental reality, and everything else, including subjects and objects, stem from it.

Metaphysics of Quality

The need for care in all our actions Is essential, as it leads to better outcomes.

Importance of Care

Western culture's dualistic thinking, which divides the world into opposites. The author advocates for a holistic understanding that goes beyond these divisions.

Destructiveness of Dualistic Thinking

The book delves into the protagonist's past and his philosophical ideas, which challenge the dichotomy between the romantic and classical understanding of the world.

THE CLASSIC BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED MILLIONSA penetrating examination of how we live and how to live betterFew books transform a generation and then establish themselves as touchstones for the generations that follow. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is one such book. This modern epic of a man’s search for meaning became an instant bestseller on publication in 1974, acclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters. It continues to inspire millions.  A narration of a summer motorcycle trip undertaken by a father and his son, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance becomes a personal and philosophical odyssey into fundamental questions on how to live. The narrator's relationship with his son leads to a powerful self-reckoning; the craft of motorcycle maintenance leads to an austerely beautiful process for reconciling science, religion, and humanism. Resonant with the confusions of existence, this classic is a touching and transcendent book of life.This new edition contains an interview with Pirsig and letters and documents detailing how this extraordinary book came to be.

mindfulness

Mindfulness

Robert Pirsig is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Robert Pirsig has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Robert Pirsig's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

Robert Pirsig

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Religion us not really ablut deities. Religion is about interpreting the world through myth, rituals and folklore. As opposed to data, experimentation and rarionalism.Religion imposes a narrative structure to the world as opposed to the scientific approach. This also explains why the religious impulse is so universal.

Religion Is Not About Gods Necesarily

Orthodox Religions like Catholicism focus on belief and the manifestation of that belief. You have to șah the right words, pray and so forth. Orthopractic Religions like Judaism are much more focus on acting a certain way. How you act is more important than what you say. Clearly the first are much more popular than the second. Because talking is cheaper.

Orthodox vs Orthopractic Religions

Christianity is Judaism with product market fit.

In this conversation, Erik Torenberg sits down with Antonio Garcia Martinez, founder of Spindl and author of ‘Chaos Monkeys’, and Parker Thompson, partner at SAX Capital, TNT Ventures, and AngelList, to explore the influence of social media on society. They discuss media literacy and journalism, how politics change people's views of social media, and the rise of unique religious movements in social activism. This episode marks the first time Erik interviewed Antonio Garcia Martinez on Venture Stories back in 2019 and remains relevant today. If you're looking for an ERP platform, check out NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen. -- SPONSORS: NETSUITE NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you’re looking for an ERP platform head to NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/zen and download your own customized KPI checklist.  --  FOLLOW ON X: @antoniogm (Antonio) @pt (Parker) @eriktorenberg (Erik) @moz_podcast (Moment of Zen) @TurpentineMedia  -- BOOKS CITED: Chaos Monkeys by Antonio Garcia Martinez Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man by Marshall McLuhan  Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America by Daniel J. Boorstin The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium by Martin Gurri Seven Types of Atheism by John Gray --  TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (01:23) Impact of Facebook (02:41) Evolution of Media and Its Influence on Society (10:10) Journalism and Media Ethics (26:25) Effectiveness of Media Regulation (33:10) Facebook's Content Curation (34:02) Content Control (35:32) Impact of Algorithms on Society and Business (38:50) Generational Shifts in Media Consumption (45:57) Exploring the Ideology of Silicon Valley (49:44) Secular Religions and the Quest for Community (58:39) Future of Religion and Community in the Digital Age (01:03:36) Wrap  This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

podcasts

Podcasts

Every week, Erik Torenberg, Dan Romero, Antonio Garcia Martinez and frequent special guests discuss what's happening in technology, business, politics, and beyond. Moment of Zen is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: turpentine.co

"Moment of Zen"

E70:  Antonio on Social Media, Journalism, and New Religions with Parker Thompson

New Religions with Antonio Garcia Martinez

Find 100+ fun History Facts - European, American, Black, Asian across various periods - Curated by our community from books, articles or documentaries