Purpose

There's an interesting question over at Roissy in DC (http://roissy.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/my-life-philosophy/). The premise of the question is that there are absolutely no repercussions of any of our actions when alive. What then would be the behaviour that best utilizes whatever time we have alive?

The author seems to think the answer is hedonism. I agree with the author insofar that the rational conclusion would be hedonism, but do not think that the majority of people are capable of sustained hedonism without any remorse - I know I'm not. I believe the realistic course for a person, unlike the ideal of a permanently hedonistic state, would be hedonism in intervals, each lasting until guilt makes the person temporarily pursue goals that assuage that guilt. Actually, if you think about it, this is what several people with the means already practice.

This does, as pointed out by commenters in the aforementioned link, pose other questions - Is short-term happiness aligned with long term happiness? Isn't it possible that while hedonism is fulfilling in the short-term, it actually diminishes long-term happiness? If so, which is more fulfilling, short-term or long-term happiness? Assuming the answer is long-term fulfillment, I believe, the best course then would be to ascertain activities that give a person lasting happiness and pursue those over and above other activities.