Step seven: pleasure isn’t simply a “good” thing
It’s tempting to believe that pleasure is “good” and that more is always better. But pleasure is not simply “good.” If we eat a deliciously ripe fruit, why does it taste good? Ultimately, it’s because we are receiving calories and nutrients, which represent a benefit to our physical health. If we come inside from the cold, the warmth feels pleasant since it also provides us calories, but this time in the form of heat. If we have a laugh with friends, it feels good because we are strengthening our social bonds, which boosts our social well-being. The pleasure we feel is ultimately a measure of benefit to our overall health—be it physical, social, sexual, or intellectual health.
Should we mindlessly seek all things that are pleasant? No, we often avoid pleasant things that we think will lead to trouble later on. We may also defer short-term pleasures if we think doing so will lead to a greater long-term reward.
Continue to step eight.