Some Lives Begin in Misery and End in Success and Happiness

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The Answer is The "life's trajectory" objection to hedonism raises the issue that some individuals may experience a life that begins with hardship and suffering but ultimately leads to success and happiness, while others may start with privilege and joy only to end in misery and failure. This objection challenges the central tenet of hedonism, which is the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain as the ultimate goal of life.

The problem for hedonism is that it seems to overlook the complexity and variability of human experiences. If pleasure and pain are the only factors that matter, then the trajectory of a person's life becomes irrelevant. This raises the question of whether hedonism can adequately account for the value of a person's life as a whole, rather than just the balance of pleasure and pain at any given moment.

A hedonist might respond to this problem by arguing that the overall trajectory of a person's life is ultimately determined by the balance of pleasure and pain they experience. In other words, a person who experiences more pleasure than pain over the course of their life will be considered to have lived a better life, regardless of the specific ups and downs they may have encountered along the way.

Additionally, a hedonist might also argue that the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain can lead to actions and choices that ultimately result in a more positive life trajectory. For example, someone who prioritizes their own well-being and seeks out pleasurable experiences may be more likely to achieve success and happiness in the long run.

However, the "life's trajectory" objection to hedonism still raises important questions about the nature of human well-being and the value of a person's life. It challenges us to consider whether pleasure and pain are truly the only factors that matter, or if there are other aspects of human experience that should be taken into account. Ultimately, the problem for hedonism is that it may oversimplify the complexities of human life and well-being, and a satisfactory response to this objection would require a more nuanced understanding of what it means to live a good life.

Some Lives Begin in Misery and End in Success and Happiness

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