Hedonism VS. Carpe Diem

Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we shall die.

In theory, this makes sense. Life is short so we must make the best of what we have now. We don't know how long we will last so we should live it up while we have the chance. This is actually an excerpt from Isaiah 22:13, and read in context, the verse shows that this hedonistic idealogy is immoral. There is more to life than the present--mature people look ahead as well as to the present, sometimes opting for current discomfort in place of pleasure so as to set down a solid foundation for the future. Going to college, or working in a horrible job for a time so as to reach a higher posistion are examples of delayed gratification.

Then comes Carpe Diem; sieze the day! Both the ideals of Carpe Diem and Hedonism call its practicers to act now, to take advantage of the present and wait no longer. The difference between the two are the motives behind the action. While the motives of Hedonism are pleasure and selfishness, Carpe Diem sees that there is more to life than just the present. Carpe Diem uses the present as a tool for the future. It doesn't let the moment pass, because it will, but takes control of the situation and uses it for benefit.

Hedonism shouts "Me! Give me what I want now so I can feel good. I don't care what the future holds because I will be dead, and once you are dead it is over. It's too late to have fun, and that is all I care about."

Carpe Diem shouts, "I have a good situation in my posession and I was to capitalize on it. I look to the future, and the future starts now."