Making Sense with Sam Harris #266 — The Limits of Pleasure
12 snips
Nov 2, 2021 
In this discussion, Paul Bloom, a psychology professor at the University of Toronto, explores the complex interplay between pleasure and pain in our lives. He uncovers how chosen suffering often leads to deeper fulfillment and examines the implications of parenthood on happiness. Bloom challenges hedonism and discusses the philosophical 'experience machine,' questioning the value of artificial happiness. The conversation delves into how unchosen suffering can foster resilience and urges a balance between pleasure and meaningful experiences.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
The Good Life Puzzle
- Defining a "good life" is surprisingly complex, with overlapping concepts like pleasure, meaning, and well-being.
- People struggle to articulate what truly constitutes a fulfilling life, similar to confusion around healthy diets.
Unreliable Narrators
- People are unreliable narrators of their own lives, unaware of potential better paths.
- We don't know what we're missing due to opportunity costs and flawed memories.
Experiencing vs. Remembering Self
- Daniel Kahneman distinguishes between the experiencing self and the remembering self.
- The remembering self prioritizes peak and end experiences when evaluating past events.
