Nov

RP) Chasing Pleasure and the Ethics of Pain Management

Andrew Bernardin on November 12th, 2011

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[recycled material - first appeared here]

It seems to me that much of human existence is about chasing pleasure. Or at least relative pleasure: moving away from unpleasant experiences toward more pleasant. Bored at your desk? Have another cup of coffee. Listen to some music. Home life not stimulating enough? Maybe a top-shelf home entertainment system will bring you greater pleasure. Etc.

As regular readers might guess, a recent news release of the science kind got me thinking about pleasure. Here's the lead:

Many cancer patients in Europe are being denied access to adequate pain relief because of over-zealous regulations restricting the availability and accessibility of opioid-based drugs such as morphine. [source]

It additionally seems to me that many people have a biased view of pleasure, including relative pleasure (moving away from suffering), and when and how it's okay to pursue it. For example: the mildly depressed upper-class guy who buys a powerful jet ski and spends an afternoon thrill-seeking before retiring to a bar veranda for a couple cold cocktails -- perfectly acceptable. The dude in the depths of the slums taking drugs and consorting with his pals in an abandoned building -- not okay.

Certainly, it's not a simple issue. And in a well-functioning society we do need shared values. But black and white thinking about drugs, or jet skis, for that matter, is just not very enlightened. And in my estimation, not very humane, either.

---

Update: Of course, an important element to this issue is the possibility of abuse and addiction. At least for most people. For cancer patients in pain -- its importance diminishes dramatically. In some cases, to zero.

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Oct

Visual Interlude: Beautiful and Prickly

Andrew Bernardin on October 19th, 2011

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We live in a complex universe. One of the implications of this is that there can be many ways to interact with 'things.' Roses and blooming cacti are but extreme examples. Interact one way and "Ahhhhh!" Another way -- "Ouch!"

Human beings are even more complex. I try to remind myself of it in the wake of a social "ouch." With limited success.

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Mar

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Andrew Bernardin on March 4th, 2011

Houch = Ha! and ouch.

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Feb

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Andrew Bernardin on February 16th, 2011

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Dec

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Andrew Bernardin on December 19th, 2010

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