Encouraging responsible collective drinking with moderation is essential, as well as being mindful of the dangers of operating heavy equipment. It's important to be respectful to others, avoid isolated drinking, and level the playing field for non-drinkers by making non-alcoholic options and water easily available at drinking events. The concept of philosophical hedonism is about a broad view of pleasures in life, including intellectual exploration, bodily and culinary pleasures, and spending time with family and friends. Embracing bodily pleasures without shame and avoiding a constant pursuit of maximizing every aspect of life is necessary for a more balanced and fulfilling existence.
Do we have alcohol to thank for civilization? The answer, according to Edward Slingerland’s new book, “Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization,” is a resounding yes. Edward, who’s a professor at the University of British Columbia and self-proclaimed “philosophical hedonist,” says that far from being an evolutionary fluke, our taste for alcohol is an evolutionary advantage — one that we’ve relied on for millennia to help us lead more social, creative, and pleasurable lives.
(This episode first aired in July 2021.)