Alpha Rehash

[Inconceivablezen]

I looked up what hedonistic means and it seems pretty obvious to me you missed the whole point of Blackdragons book or didn't read much of it which you even admitted.

-Ben

I knew it, I knew my viewpoint will not play well with you guys. But still I'll try to explain what I mean, for whatever it's worth. You see, I'm a cynic. I'm also cynical, but here I mean "cynic" in particular. Read about people like Diogenes of Sinope to learn more. If you done so you'd learn cynics have different understanding of happiness typical people (among them Blackdragon) does. ***** my way through like doesn't resonate with me. That's why I respect his book very much, but it has some very serious flaws with me - and it's obvious when we're talking apples and oranges. That being said I don't want to be cynic, that way of thinking brought me low all my life and I want to grow out of it (by using Shannon's subs as well as other means) but it also shaped me and gave me insights that will probably stay with all my life, and for good. So in short, don't be surprised Blackdragon's hedonism, or should I say "commercial happiness" based on money and sex doesn't resonate with me. And yes, I know he claims there is more to it, but those two sections is what he focuses on and I can't help but judge it in basis of it. I may all change with time and it will be very interesting case study if I will. For now though, let me hate "The Unchained Man" while reading it slowly but passionately.

This is an awesome analysis. I also reject hedonism and think Aristotle's definition of happiness is a lot better. Aristotle uses the term "Eudaimonism", which is the highest good in human life (and is not equal to pleasure).

Eudaimonism is a very broad definition of happiness. For example: Humans need money, but money is not sufficient for Eudaimonism. Humans need a social circle with good friends. Aristotle says that a human that can life on itself, that is totally outside society, is either a god or a beast. I agree. No one can stay in his room playing computer games, watching porn, be closed of society for weeks and still be happy.

The most important thing in life to reach eudaimonism are virtue. Virtues are excellences of character. Exmples are things like courage, justice, charity, etc. Wicked people for example, might reach some happiness by stealing, betraying, lying, but they probably will never reach the lasting eudaimonia. Just and honest people might neither, because disasters can happen and life is never fully in our own hands. But the virtues are the best bet for reaching Eudaimonia.

For more information read the Aristotle paragraph in this article:

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

The great thing about this is that it can both function as a NORMATIVE (and not just descriptive) foundation of the alpha male project, and also give justification to the many aspects of life (instead of just pursuing money OR pleasure).