Appreciation Quote by Paul Bloom
“The enjoyment we get from something is powerfully influenced by what we think that thing really is. This is true for intellectual pleasures, such as the appreciation of paintings and stories, and it is true as well for pleasures that seem simpler and more animalistic, such as the satisfaction of hunger and lust.”
About This Quote
Source Book: How Pleasure Works by Paul Bloom, 2015
Our perception of pleasure is shaped by beliefs about the object, influencing both intellectual and basic desires.
In simple terms: Beliefs shape pleasure.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions to enhance enjoyment.
Themes
perception
belief
pleasure
cognition
Mood
curious
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- Art appreciation
- food tasting
- sexual intimacy
- learning motivation
Key Concepts
Cognitive framing
subjective experience
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your beliefs affect what you enjoy?
- Can you reframe a disliked activity to increase pleasure?
A Different Perspective
Changing beliefs can alter pleasure, but not all experiences are equally malleable.
![“Our best hope for the future [...] lies in an appreciation of the fact that, even if we don’t empathize with distant strangers, their lives have the same value as the lives of those we love.” quote by Paul Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/630/paul-bloom-3720_appreciation_our-best-hope-for-the-future-lies-in-an_177200.jpg)
