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Pleasure is the only thing that is inherently valuable to a conscious organism. It feels good.

There would be no reason to pursue the things you desire if pursuing them and/or getting them didn't make you feel good.

If pursuing them and/or getting them does make you feel good, there is a reason to pursue them. But the reason is because they make you feel good---because they bring pleasure.



For me, it feels good to pursue things I desire, even if it involves immediate physical discomfort, like exercise.


That is the same as saying: For me, it is pleasurable to pursue things I desire, even if it involved immediate physical discomfort, like exercise.

In fact, if you want to replace "pleasure" in my whole argument with "good feeling," that is perfectly fine.

Separately, I think you may be equating "satisfying desires" with "feeling good." They definitely aren't the same. In fact, you want to pick values (=desires) in your life that are going to maximize feeling good when you pursue and achieve them.




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