Making Sense with Sam Harris

#266 — The Limits of Pleasure

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.

47:14

Creator website

Episode guests

Paul Bloom

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Questioning Post-Traumatic Growth

00:44

Is Parenthood a Net Negative?

01:45

Intro

2min

Pleasure, Suffering, and Meaning

25min

The Paradox of Distress and Growth

8min

The Experience Machine: Reality vs. Illusion

4min

Balancing Pleasure and Pain in the Pursuit of Meaning

2min

Exploring the Dynamics of Pleasure, Pain, and Altruism

6min

Sam Harris speaks with Paul Bloom about the role that pain and suffering play in living a good life. They discuss the limitations of hedonism, the connection between chosen suffering and meaning, the research of Daniel Kahneman on well-being, integrating the experiencing and remembering selves, moral motivations, the effects of parenthood on happiness, unchosen suffering, the asymmetry of loss and gain, Nozick’s “experience machine” thought experiment, effective altruism, valuing the future more than the past, the power of contrast, false ideals of happiness, polyamory, money and status, the role of the imagination, boredom, the power of apology, and other topics.

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