On the Pursuit of Pleasure Matthew HaydenIn life, I find that what I enjoy most what I awake every morning to do, what I look forward to experiencing, what I invest my energy and resources to are those facets of life that bring me pleasure. It is for pleasure that one who lives continues to do so. While it may be true that humans endure, often intentionally, many situations which are not pleasurable, perhaps even painful at times, we do this with the idea that our present, uncomfortable endurance will yield a much desired and pleasurable future in some way. If one were to live with the sole intent of achieving a stable, safe, and lasting state of pleasure, I feel that this would be a life that was well lived. For many, I think the idea of living for pleasure is associated with sin or a lack of moral integrity. It is thought that although we have the opportunity to pursue those actions, substances, frivolities, and lifestyles that we would find pleasurable, to not do so somehow shows moral strength or some other desirable characteristic. This is a falsity that has been allowed to fester and cure in our minds to the point that we are quick to judge any of those whom we see indulging in their desires if we deem them to be excessive or immoral in nature. It is not my position that the pursuit of pleasure could ever be immoral. Actions which are less than moral could certainly arise through pleasures pursuit, however, this does not mean that to seek out that which gives one a sense of well-being and happiness is immoral. If one were to live a life without pleasure, I would question why one would continue living at all. The pursuance of happiness with great passion is what I feel gives life its meaning. I find nothing to suggest that there is any truly objective meaning to exist or to be and in turn, I feel that one may act to ameliorate any discomfort the state of living may bring by any means he or she feels is appropriate for the lifestyle of which one accepts the consequences of living.