Hedonism & Eating Disorders

          Hedonists claim that increased well-being will always follow when we get what we want: happiness. Our lives only improve when we act in favor of our personal happiness. We act to fulfill, in Mill’s opinion, our attitudinal pleasure. We strive to be in a state of psychological optimism and tranquility. Happiness, however, is not formed from the immediate physical pleasures (like eating a cheeseburger to satisfy hunger and enjoy a meal.) Although seeking out our own happiness and mental tranquility is important, I see flaws in the connection between happiness and well-being.

          Hedonist identify the fact that overeating won’t produce maintained and true happiness. This is just a form of immediate satisfaction. However, what comes from the opposite situation-not eating at all? Hedonists claim that sometimes we put ourselves through a little bit of misery in order to be achieve overall happiness. The example is given of suffering through running in order to be healthy…in order to be happy. Although we don’t enjoy running, health can bring us enough happiness to be worth the struggle. Today, being skinny and fit is incredibly advocated and desired in society. Everywhere we look, standards of “beautiful” reflect a thinness often outside the normal weight ranges. However, with repeated exposure, we see this skewed version of appearance as normal. The media also associates this attractiveness as a path to happiness. We then attribute our ability to lose weight as being a path to happiness. 

          Eating disorders are incredibly prevalent in the United States. Girls often skip meals or purge the calories they do intake. They want the Instagram likes, the hot boyfriend, and popularity among peers. They correlate the small willingness of giving up food to the possibility of being happy. And once we do reach our goal weight, we should be at an elevated well-being, right? Not for girls with eating disorders. Disorders such as Anorexia or Bulimia are terrible for the body and could lead to strained mental states full of anxiety and stress. This journey for happiness wreaks havoc on the physical state of the body. Although the skinniness may lead to higher self-esteem and a higher perceived mental state, girls die from eating disorders. This cannot possibly suggest a greater well-being. I argue that hedonists do not consider the irrationality of what makes some people happy. The risks associated with illogical journeys to happiness can put a person’s well-being at risk, whether they are receiving attitudinal pleasure or not.

          This weight loss commercial gives a prime example of how the media presents an unrealistic image to strive for. They use a very fit Jennifer Lopez and zoom in on her stomach and legs for emphasis of what a “fit” body should look like. The commercial suggests the weight loss will boost “your confidence, your significance, your happiness.” With hopes of achieving these traits, the hedonistic view of girls is simple: eat less and be thin. If hedonism is true, then eating disorders may be a severe consequence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehedWbpxosE