Conversation

People seem to implicitly define hedonism in terms of present experience. IMO, hedonism is no more present-oriented than nostalgia. Its defining trait is avoidance of ugly truths about future, just as defining trait of nostalgia is avoidance of unpalatable truths about the past.
Quote Tweet
Some weird analysis has led me to the conclusion that the natural opposite of hedonism is nostalgia. Wonder if anyone else has reached this conclusion via other arguments.
1
29
At least for me, the image that comes to mind when I think "hedonism" is indulgence shaped by a background suppressed thought that there may be no tomorrow or a bad tomorrow. As in end-of-the-world debauchery.
1
4
There's an element of that kind of nihilist subtext in even the simplest kind of hedonism. Say eating one more piece of chocolate than you think you should. An element of "eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die."
1
5
By contrast, non-hedonistic modes of satisfaction have an element of anticipation built in. Half the enjoyment is from anticipating a positive future course of events that might be indefinitely extended.
Replying to
That's how I arrive at the opposition to nostalgia. The characteristic feature of hedonism that distinguishes it from other attitudes towards pleasurable experience is being in denial about some sort of future darkness. Looking at the future through rose-colored glasses.
2
6
Remember that scene in the Matrix where the essence of "Zion" (promised land connotations in name, but promise not yet achieved) is apparently a rave. Lose yourself in ecstasy for tomorrow the sentinels find us and blow us up before "Zion" fulfills the promise of its name.
5