A review by holodoxa
The Sweet Spot: The Pleasures of Suffering and the Search for Meaning by Paul Bloom, Paul Bloom
4.0
Paul Bloom, a well-known Canadian cognitive psychologist, has added a third popular science book to his body of work, The Sweet Spot. It makes for a great addition to his prior books on the innate, evolved moral systems of the brain (Just Babies) and the social limitations of empathy (Against Empathy), fitting well thematically with little overlapping content. The Sweet Spot is "an extended argument that chosen suffering can generate and enhance pleasure, and that it is an essential part of meaningful activities and a meaningful life." While the work is somewhat light on profundity (purposefully so in some ways), Bloom writes lucidly on the topical empirical research (and its limitations) and provides careful reflection on these insights by drawing on relevant literary theory, philosophy, and general commentary on the human condition. Bloom brings a balanced humility to this topic and is gentle with his prescriptions, which seems appropriate given the methodological and epistemic limitations to the available science.
Bloom's central claim builds on a sort of syllogism. First, certain ways of struggling or hurting can be sources of pleasure. Second, living a meaningful requires more than hedonic pleasure, including some sort or morality and worthwhile pursuits. And finally, the conduit to achieving a well lived life will require struggle and adversity. Some readers will find this argument axiomatic (or otherwise unoriginal) and may think a book length discussion of these ideas are unwarranted, but I think Bloom's succinctness and ability to draw expertly from multiple disciplines and bodies of literature justifies the work. However, I am a bit concerned that the self-evident nature of these claims may have lulled me into a less critical space as a reader. After finishing the book, I was still somewhat left with a feeling that some aspect of this topic was being overlooked or not considered (despite Bloom's thoroughness and thoughtfulness).
Overall, The Sweet Spot is an engaging, short read that only briefly loses a bit of focus and punch in its middle-late chapters. I found the portions drawing on literary theory to be especially edifying and thought provoking. There is also an interesting and somewhat poignant contrarianism to the work. Bloom is bold enough to argue for the necessity of suffering and the good it can do, while otherwise immersed in a zeitgeist that looks increasingly receptive to and on the precipice of Brave New World type transformation.
*Disclaimer: I received this work as an ARC through Netgalley.
Bloom's central claim builds on a sort of syllogism. First, certain ways of struggling or hurting can be sources of pleasure. Second, living a meaningful requires more than hedonic pleasure, including some sort or morality and worthwhile pursuits. And finally, the conduit to achieving a well lived life will require struggle and adversity. Some readers will find this argument axiomatic (or otherwise unoriginal) and may think a book length discussion of these ideas are unwarranted, but I think Bloom's succinctness and ability to draw expertly from multiple disciplines and bodies of literature justifies the work. However, I am a bit concerned that the self-evident nature of these claims may have lulled me into a less critical space as a reader. After finishing the book, I was still somewhat left with a feeling that some aspect of this topic was being overlooked or not considered (despite Bloom's thoroughness and thoughtfulness).
Overall, The Sweet Spot is an engaging, short read that only briefly loses a bit of focus and punch in its middle-late chapters. I found the portions drawing on literary theory to be especially edifying and thought provoking. There is also an interesting and somewhat poignant contrarianism to the work. Bloom is bold enough to argue for the necessity of suffering and the good it can do, while otherwise immersed in a zeitgeist that looks increasingly receptive to and on the precipice of Brave New World type transformation.
*Disclaimer: I received this work as an ARC through Netgalley.