Paul Bloom: The origins of pleasure

TL;DR

Our beliefs about the origins and hidden essences of things impact our perception of pleasure, whether it's in art, food, or personal experiences.

Transcript

I'm going to talk today about the pleasures of everyday life. But I want to begin with a story of an unusual and terrible man. This is Hermann Goering. Goering was Hitler's second in command in World War II, his designated successor. And like Hitler, Goering fancied himself a collector of art. He went through Europe, through World War II, stealing,... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖼️ Pleasure can be influenced by our beliefs and knowledge about an object's origin and history.
• 👀 Our perceptions of attractiveness and desirability are shaped by our beliefs about an individual's identity and characteristics.
• 🍔 The taste and enjoyment of food can be influenced by our beliefs about its origin or association with specific brands.
• 🍷 Believing that a wine is more expensive can enhance our experience of its taste and pleasure.
• 💍 Objects can hold value and emotional significance based on their history and the associations we have with them.
• 🎨 The value and appreciation of artwork can be affected by our beliefs about its creative process and the perceived authenticity of the work.
• 🎵 Our enjoyment of music can be influenced by our knowledge of the artist or the context in which the music is experienced.
• 💥 Our beliefs and perceptions about pain can impact our experience of it, with pain becoming pleasurable in certain controlled circumstances.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do our beliefs about origins affect our perception of pleasure in daily activities like eating and drinking?

Our beliefs play a significant role in how we experience pleasure. For example, studies have shown that if we believe we are drinking expensive wine, it activates areas of the brain associated with pleasure, making us genuinely enjoy it more. The same goes for food - if we believe we are eating from a prestigious restaurant like McDonald's, the food tastes better to us. Our beliefs about origins shape our perception and impact the pleasure we derive from these experiences.

Q: How does our perception of pleasure differ between originals and forgeries in art?

The case of the art forger Han van Meegeren and Hermann Goering illustrates the difference in perception between originals and forgeries. Even though the forgeries were visually indistinguishable from the originals, once it was revealed that the paintings were fakes, their value diminished significantly. Our belief in the origins and history of an artwork affects our perception of its value and the pleasure we derive from it. We are naturally drawn to original works because of the creative act and history behind them.

Q: Can our beliefs about people impact our perception of their attractiveness?

Yes, our beliefs about who we are looking at can influence our perception of attractiveness and sexual arousal. Studies have shown that if we believe the person we are looking at is someone we are romantically or sexually interested in, we find them more attractive and experience stronger feelings of attraction. Conversely, if we were to discover a person's kinship to us, we usually experience a decrease in sexual interest due to the inherent taboo of such relationships. Our beliefs about a person's identity shape our perception and level of attraction towards them.

Q: How does the history of an object impact its value and our perception of pleasure?

The history and origins of an object can contribute to its value and our perception of pleasure. For example, objects owned or used by famous individuals gain value due to their history and association with the person. Similarly, objects with personal sentimental value, such as wedding rings or baby shoes, cannot be easily replaced, making them more meaningful and pleasurable to the owner. The history and personal significance of an object enhance its value beyond its utilitarian purpose, influencing our perception of pleasure.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Hermann Goering, Hitler's second-in-command, was deceived by an art forger who sold him a fake Vermeer painting, leading to surprising consequences.

• Humans are natural-born essentialists, meaning our perception of pleasure is influenced by our beliefs about the origins and hidden essences of things.

• Our beliefs about what we are eating, who we are looking at, and the history of objects all contribute to our experience of pleasure.