Are not the pleasures of the intellect greater than the pleasures of affections?

Question

Thanks to all your answers, philosophers. Have a great day!

Answer 1

Depends on the consciousness of the person who thinks what is pleasure. A hog thinks the greatest pleasure is eating fresh stool. A swan takes pleasure just taking in the sun rays on a beautiful pond. To each of them they think thier pleaure is the best. But frankly all the pleasure of the material mind and body (no matter what race or species) is all an illuison. Best to take up the process of self realization and accept the highest pleasure which is transcendental to all so called pleasure and pain. (Bhakti yoga is process) and chanting the holy names of God no matter what your religion is the practice. Universla to all.

Answer 2

Can your ego keep you comfy in the dark? Intellect always leads to feelings of superiority. You can't help it. You are dealing with less capable people all day long. You have to dumb down every thought with most people with whom you interact. But it will not hold you close after a bad day, and no matter how much you rationalize, that rationalization will not win out over matters of the heart. Intellect and love are not mutually exclusive. There is no law that writes the rules of the heart. But it always is more difficult for an intelligent, well read woman to find love than for an equally endowed man. Men expect less from a female mate: sexual comfort is rarely defined by parameters that includ intelligence, nor should it be. It should be fun! But when women want to discuss some thing of merit, there is rarely a man with whom to discuss it. This is especially true if she is attractive. Laws to the contrary, men still believe that attractive women should not waste their time with thought or talk, probably an attitude that reflects their own shallow minds! More than likely, they're so distracted by the other brain in their pants, that they cannot focus on what she is saying!
There is also that undefinable essence of love that urges us to create our finest efforts, just because we can. Love can open the mind in unthought ways, and can stimulate us beyond the daily creations and urge us into untold realms of consciousness, feeling, creation and stimulation.

Answer 3

Their distinction is an illusion, a lie, a misconception and a notion of superseded antiquity.

The Will is positive, the Judgment is negative, period.

http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/at/adler.htm

http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/index.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erick_Erickson

The Erikson life-stage virtues, in the order of the stages in which they may be acquired, are:

hope- Basic Trust vs. Mistrust
will- Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
purpose- Initiative vs. Guilt
competence- Industry vs. Inferiority
fidelity- Identity vs. Role Confusion
love (in intimate relationships, work and family)- Intimacy vs. Isolation
caring- Generativity vs. Stagnation
wisdom- Integrity vs. Despair

At what point in Erikson's psychological progression does the intellect become distinct from whatever organ you propose becomes affection. Personally I see no distinction. Perhaps the road to competency is a comforting discipline, but it is suspect if a person makes that distinction in their own mind, when no such boundary exists to define intellect as organically distinct from the spirit nor spirit from the mind generally (spirit and mind mean the same thing). The absence of the activity of the Judgment certainly would make intellectual pursuits more comfortable and pleasant, but not very realistic.

Answer 4

Intellect is at a higher level than emotional mind.

But be careful about the caveat of intellectual pleasures :
i) Intellectualism that becomes devoid of "love" is like a flower plant whose flowers do not blossom

ii) Intellectualism should not become so extreme as to satisfy one's ego - it becomes egoism or egotism
intellectualism should not become very selfish motive of doing things - it can then become brutalism or corruption.

Though intellect is at a higher level in making decision, the intellectualism on its own that is devoid of love does not stand right all on its own. It has to be complemented in the right proportion by emotional feeling.

Unselfish "Love" is the greatest eternal divine power.
Dry intellectualism loses out over there.

Answer 5

The Socratic school would agree (though they would balance this with valuing the pleasure of the affection of intellectuals).
The English Baconian school would argue that without improving the pleasures of others and being rewarded by their affections, then philosophising is sterile.

Answer 6

No! Not everyone has the pleasure of intellect, but everyone can feel the pleasure of affection.

Answer 7

I don't believe the pleasures of the intellect can be truly appreciated without the experience of affection.

Answer 8

depends on what you as an individual value and why.

Answer 9

No. Seriously, no way at all.

Answer 10

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee