Okay, forget what I said before. I’ve discovered the meaning of life. I’m going to tell you what it is before I forget. Feel free to sell it to your friends. The meaning of life is this: entertainment.
The Greeks got it right all those years ago, at least, the hedonistic Greeks did. I’ve always been a little impressed by the hedonists. I know that sounds strange coming from a Christian (a group of people not usually associated with wanton hedonism), but it’s true nonetheless. What impresses me about them is this: they found something good, in this case pleasure, and decided to build an entire philosophy around it. You can’t help but respect a group of people who went to the trouble of constructing a philosophy so they could not only feel good having fun, but feel justified in doing so while avoiding other, less entertaining pursuits. That’s genius. There’s no other word for it.
Before I start getting concerned emails telling me that hedonism isn’t really all that swell of a philosophy, I guess I should say that I’m being a bit sarcastic here. I don’t really believe that hedonism is the best way to live life, nor do I think that a life spent solely in pursuit of pleasure is valuable. But I do think there’s more confusion over that particular point than people would like to admit.
It’s fairly easy to say that hedonism is flawed as a theory, quite another to convince anyone that you don’t really hold to it. I spent the weekend white water rafting with Padre and Glenda the Destroyer (who, thankfully, liked her pseudonym). The weekend was thoroughly enjoyable. Work on Monday wasn't. So, while I was slugging my way through the minute that can make my job more taxing than rewarding, I thought about how much more fun life would be if I could skip the work bit and just have one long weekend. If I were independently wealthy, I could whittle away my days rock climbing and snowboarding in exotic locations, riding expensive custom motorcycles, and white water rafting the greatest rivers in the world. Isn’t that the kind of dream that the United States is founded on? It’s in our Declaration of Independence, people. We’re entitled to the pursuit of happiness.
But that kind of dream is horribly, horribly selfish. I only have so many days on this earth, and if I spend them, or the majority of them, trying to entertain myself, I’m saying one of two things:
1. I’m more valuable than those around me, so I can devote all my time to me.
2. There’s nothing after this life so I have to squeeze everything out of the one I have right now.
I only know a few people who’d be comfortable making both those statements. For those of you who aren’t, who think those statements are beneath your contempt, ask yourself this: If you suddenly became wealthy, what would you do with the money? Go with your gut instinct, not what you think you should say. Was your first thought for the poor of this world, or was it more along the lines of a sleek car or a huge mansion?
But I don’t really need something as farfetched as becoming rich as an example. I can use something far more mundane. When I get home from work, do I drop off my stuff, change, and then go volunteer at a shelter? Or do I put in a movie, grab a book, or jump on line? In short, do I give more than I take?
If the meaning of life isn’t self entertainment, why do we live like it is?
Today’s disclaimer: I’m not arguing that entertainment is bad. I’m also not saying we should spend every free second feeding the homeless or standing on street corners preaching. I’m just trying to point out that the way we live reflects our values better than what we say. If Christ is more important to us than everything else, than why do we spend so much time on everything else and so little doing what He told us to do?
The Greeks got it right all those years ago, at least, the hedonistic Greeks did. I’ve always been a little impressed by the hedonists. I know that sounds strange coming from a Christian (a group of people not usually associated with wanton hedonism), but it’s true nonetheless. What impresses me about them is this: they found something good, in this case pleasure, and decided to build an entire philosophy around it. You can’t help but respect a group of people who went to the trouble of constructing a philosophy so they could not only feel good having fun, but feel justified in doing so while avoiding other, less entertaining pursuits. That’s genius. There’s no other word for it.
Before I start getting concerned emails telling me that hedonism isn’t really all that swell of a philosophy, I guess I should say that I’m being a bit sarcastic here. I don’t really believe that hedonism is the best way to live life, nor do I think that a life spent solely in pursuit of pleasure is valuable. But I do think there’s more confusion over that particular point than people would like to admit.
It’s fairly easy to say that hedonism is flawed as a theory, quite another to convince anyone that you don’t really hold to it. I spent the weekend white water rafting with Padre and Glenda the Destroyer (who, thankfully, liked her pseudonym). The weekend was thoroughly enjoyable. Work on Monday wasn't. So, while I was slugging my way through the minute that can make my job more taxing than rewarding, I thought about how much more fun life would be if I could skip the work bit and just have one long weekend. If I were independently wealthy, I could whittle away my days rock climbing and snowboarding in exotic locations, riding expensive custom motorcycles, and white water rafting the greatest rivers in the world. Isn’t that the kind of dream that the United States is founded on? It’s in our Declaration of Independence, people. We’re entitled to the pursuit of happiness.
But that kind of dream is horribly, horribly selfish. I only have so many days on this earth, and if I spend them, or the majority of them, trying to entertain myself, I’m saying one of two things:
1. I’m more valuable than those around me, so I can devote all my time to me.
2. There’s nothing after this life so I have to squeeze everything out of the one I have right now.
I only know a few people who’d be comfortable making both those statements. For those of you who aren’t, who think those statements are beneath your contempt, ask yourself this: If you suddenly became wealthy, what would you do with the money? Go with your gut instinct, not what you think you should say. Was your first thought for the poor of this world, or was it more along the lines of a sleek car or a huge mansion?
But I don’t really need something as farfetched as becoming rich as an example. I can use something far more mundane. When I get home from work, do I drop off my stuff, change, and then go volunteer at a shelter? Or do I put in a movie, grab a book, or jump on line? In short, do I give more than I take?
If the meaning of life isn’t self entertainment, why do we live like it is?
Today’s disclaimer: I’m not arguing that entertainment is bad. I’m also not saying we should spend every free second feeding the homeless or standing on street corners preaching. I’m just trying to point out that the way we live reflects our values better than what we say. If Christ is more important to us than everything else, than why do we spend so much time on everything else and so little doing what He told us to do?
Comments
I'm finding entertainment in messing with your innocent little head. When you figure out who is mean enough to do this to you, DON'T let on! Shhhhh! Nobody is supposed to know.
Innocent is not exactly how I'd describe myself. I'd like to, but can't in good faith.
Also, if you knew me in person you'd know that my head, while it looks normal, is freakishly large. Seriously, it's hard to buy hats.
Jeff,
Yeah, video games sure are fun.