Abstract

This thesis is an examination of one aspect of the ongoing contemporary philosophical debate concerning the nature of pleasure. In particular, I am concerned with the notion of enjoyment. I will first review some of the established distinctions between enjoyment and related concepts, and attempt to establish the centrality of enjoyment in regard to pleasure. I will then examine several of what I take to be the more important present-day interpretations. My aim is not only to criticize those views, but to point out those characteristics which any interpretation must take into account. ;The first views to be examined exemplify the debate between philosophers who see enjoyment as some sort of "internal" episode or occurrence, and those who advocate a behavioral approach. Closely related to that discussion are certain problems regarding the epistemology of enjoyment. I shall deal with questions pertaining to whether or not, and in what sense, one can be mistaken about his enjoyment; the status of enjoyment avowals; and certain problematic cases involving delusions, hypnotic suggestion, and dreaming. ;Following this, I will turn to an examination of the roles of beliefs and attitudes. My goal here is to demonstrate that no particular beliefs are necessary or sufficient for enjoyment, and that interpretations in terms of attitudes will ultimately be reduced to circularity, i.e., an attitude of "enjoyment." ;In the final chapter I will present what I take to be a new direction for an explanation of enjoyment, one which emphasizes the role of expressions of enjoyment. I will advocate the existence of both objectless as well as object-oriented enjoyment. I will also argue that the object of enjoyment need not be a present activity or experience of the subject. Finally, I will propose that even though one can be incorrect concerning his avowals or disavowals of enjoyment, the subject partakes in no epistemic relationship with his enjoyment, that is, although one can be said to be "in error," it is not error as we normally understand it, a situation which may be part of other emotional or affective states