The concept of the Hedonic Treadmill is a compelling idea within behavioural psychology that intersects neatly with Stoic philosophy. Essentially, it describes our tendency to return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative events or life changes.
This article will explore the Hedonic Treadmill through a Stoic lens and provide practical examples of its application.
Understanding the Hedonic Treadmill.
The Hedonic Treadmill (also known as Hedonic Adaptation) is a theory suggesting that people continually adapt to changes in their lives – whether positive or negative – and ultimately return to a ‘baseline’ level of satisfaction or happiness. For example, you might feel joy when you buy a new car, but over time, this joy fades as you get used to having the car, and you’re back to where you started emotionally.
The Stoic Approach
Stoicism, an ancient philosophy practiced by the likes of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, encourages us to find peace and happiness by focusing on what’s within our control and accepting what isn’t. The Stoics believed that we can’t control external circumstances, but we can control our reactions to them. This principle aligns perfectly with the concept of the Hedonic Treadmill.
How Stoicism Can Help Break the Cycle
- Understanding and Accepting: A Stoic understands the transient nature of pleasure and pain derived from external events or material possessions. They accept the inevitability of the Hedonic Treadmill and thus seek happiness from within rather than from external circumstances.
- Virtue and Inner Peace: Stoics place a high value on virtue – qualities like wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. They believe that practicing these virtues brings inner peace and satisfaction that doesn’t depend on external conditions.
- Living According to Nature: The Stoics believed in living in accordance with nature, which includes accepting the natural ebb and flow of life’s circumstances. This acceptance can help us break free from the relentless pursuit of fleeting pleasures and avoid unnecessary suffering.
Examples in Daily Life, consider two scenarios:
- You receive a promotion at work. Initially, you feel a surge of happiness. But over time, the increased workload, stress, and expectations become the new normal, and your happiness level returns to its baseline.
- Conversely, you lose your job. Initially, this triggers stress and worry, but over time, you adapt to this new circumstance – perhaps you find ways to cut costs, or you find satisfaction in having more free time – and again, your happiness level stabilizes.
Through a Stoic lens, these scenarios are external events that you can’t entirely control, but you can control your response to them. By focusing on maintaining your inner peace, practicing virtue, and understanding the nature of the Hedonic Treadmill, you can navigate life’s difficulties with greater equanimity.
The Hedonic Treadmill concept, when understood and accepted, can serve as a powerful tool for fostering emotional resilience. By applying Stoic principles, we can cultivate a more stable sense of contentment that isn’t at the mercy of external circumstances, breaking free from the endless cycle of the Hedonic Treadmill.
