Everything we do is motivated by [a] pursuit of pleasure, or [b] avoidance of pain?

Question

Do you agree with this ? Think first, remember even saintly, noble people, e.g. Mother Teresa types, receive great 'pleasure' helping others, and avoid the 'pain' which they would feel if they ignored unfortunates ..... comments please.

Answer 1

The Pursuit of Pleasure.

The pursuit of pleasure drives people to do activities that they enjoy, that they can be passionate about. Whether those activities have some end means or are just for recreation is up to them.

Just because they desire to pursue pleasure does not mean that they are avoiding pain directly. It's when pain becomes a factor or choice in a decision that it's avoidance becomes an issue.

I like to play video games. They're fun. If someone said I'd be tortured for playing them, then I'd change my hobby. I was fine with my pursuit of pleasure until pain became a factor.

The example of Mother Teresa feeling 'pain' for ignoring unfortunates seems a bit off. If (and this is an example, not my saying it is the case.) If she didn't 'enjoy' her actions of helping others, she would have found a different cause in life. The 'pain' of not helping others would not have existed unless she had decided that the misfortunes of others actually caused her pain. Her decision to pursue pleasure in taking care of others would be the cause in avoiding the pain of her ignoring unfortunates.

The same cannot be said for the reverse. When pain is always a factor, it will (generally) be avoided for less-painful activities.

If Mother Teresa was helping others to avoid pain she felt by the ignored unfortunates, the best way to avoid that pain would be simply to not care and find another activity. But, in her credit, even if that were the case... some of us put our love and duty to our neighbors above our own pursuits. She would be such an example, and that's why she will be a saint.

Answer 2

For noble people like Mother Teresa, i think their purpose of life is to make hapinesses for others, which could also make themselves happy when see their friends smilling around.
They don't want other people to be worry for their own unfortunates, which could take away the smiles on other people's faces, that's why they're known as noble people.
But that is just what people could do in parts of their lives.

Answer 3

True, in the early stages of a child's development. Eventually, it becomes the pursuit of "rational" behavior and the avoidance of pain, but mostly on the metaphysical level. We have learned how not to put our hands on the hot stove.

Answer 4

I think I agree with the answer right above me. As in the case of Mother Theresa, we can be motivated by a freely acknowledged obligation or duty to a Higher Authority.

Also I agree that without that obligation, Mother Theresa would have simply left India. Conscience can be trained.

Answer 5

Everyone is motivated to attain comfort/happiness/pleasure in life but no one can avoid pain or ignore it because there are circumstances outside our control.Life is a great mystery.This is beyond our human understanding.No matter how much life wisdom and experiences in life we gained..still we are not in total control.

Answer 6

You have asked an excellent question and, of course, the answer is obvious to you.

Everything we do is motivated by pursuing the avoidance of pain. When we choose pain we are avoiding the reality of pleasure.

Period.

S&M included.

Answer 7

I think that it depends on your philosophical outlook...does the means justify the ends, what are our true motivations, and/or what would bring about the most pleasure with the least amount of pain?

Answer 8

By nature we are blissull(Aanandamay).Pains are because of ignorance.Hence 'avoidance of pain' motivates all our activities.

Answer 9

Aren't our lives driven by one or the other at every turn? and isn't one the opposite of the other? how many people do you know sit in the middle?

Answer 10

pain can be pleasure. i can expose myself to pain to please others.