English Version | Hedonism: Editor's Letter

“The problem with pleasure is that it needs to be intermittent in order to retain its pleasantness.” - Mokokoma Mokhonoana

The industrialization of happiness as an item on the tyrannical list of social success is meant to encourage overcoming what, in popular psychology, have come to be known as “inhibitions”. Even what is supposed to be spontaneous and involuntary seems to be a condition imposed by social media... People are forced to show themselves to be fun in order to be accepted and perceived as successful. I wonder how much of the modern FOMO epidemic - our chronic fear of missing out or being left out - stems from this very notion that life's vast menu of pleasures is filled with practical opportunities, which if left unpracticed, seem to impede ability to achieve “success”, “happiness”.

Someone said that the true value of man is shown when, with all possible freedom, he imposes limits on himself. And perhaps therein lies the balance that allows us the perfect dose and mix between what really fills us with pleasure and our obligations, so that hedonism is healthy and never toxic.

Work, when completely separated from the playful element, becomes monotonous. And even pleasure, when likewise isolated from the "serious" content of life, becomes silly, meaningless and pure “entertainment”. The real substance of any non-utilitarian activity lies in the way it is practiced, because it confronts and sublimates the problems of reality: res severe verum gaudium [true joy is a serious thing].

The momentary pleasures of hedonism are distinct from the deepest and most lasting satisfaction; and to achieve such satisfaction we need to reflect on who we are and what our lives are for. We cannot be fully human without thinking about what it means to be human. Hedonism, as any puritan can tell you, never leads to virtue. If we could all leave pleasure aside and only eat what makes us healthy, all our problems would disappear. (Good luck with that.)

Because of the adaptability of human beings, too often in our lives we take small and big things for granted instead of enjoying them. A little pessimism, in the right dose, can be a powerful antidote to hedonic adaptation. By consciously thinking about the possibility of losing what we have, we can regain our appreciation for it and revitalize our ability for joy. Pleasure is a hedonistic reflex, a burning urge to abandon rational thinking altogether and immerse yourself in the moment.

This edition is an ode to pleasure and a reminder that we can, and should, savor life, even in the smallest things that fill us with happiness. The happiness that is never permanent, lives in our ability to recognize the moments that have that power and collect them with love - including our own.

Originally translated from Hedonism | The Pleasure Issue of Vogue Portugal, published May 2023.Full stories and credits on the print issue.