Exploring Discipline Through Different Contexts: Part 2
In our first part, we explored how Stoicism, Confucianism, and Existentialism view discipline. Now, we’ll dive deeper into this topic by analyzing four more perspectives: Buddhism, Utilitarianism, Hedonism, and Nihilism. You might be surprised by what they have to say!
4. Buddhism: Discipline as a Path to Peace
What is Buddhism?
Buddhism began in ancient India and is built on the idea that life involves suffering, but we can find a way out of it. The core of the teaching is the Four Noble Truths, which explain the cause of suffering, and the Eightfold Path, which is a practical guide to ending suffering by living wisely and ethically. The ultimate goal is to reach a state of peace and understanding called Nirvana.
The Buddhist View on Discipline:
Discipline is absolutely essential in Buddhism—it's the very road you walk on to reach peace. It starts with training the mind to see things clearly and have good intentions. Practices like meditation, being mindful throughout the day, and following moral rules (like not harming others) are all forms of discipline.
For a Buddhist, this self-control isn’t about punishment. It’s about understanding how our own desires and attachments often lead to stress and unhappiness. By disciplining the mind, you can let go of what troubles you and find a deeper, more lasting calm.
5. Utilitarianism: Discipline for the Greater Good
What is Utilitarianism?
This philosophy has a simple-sounding (but often complex) goal: the best action is the one that produces the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. It’s all about the results. Think of it like a happiness calculator—if an action creates more overall well-being than pain, it’s good.
The Utilitarian View on Discipline:
Through this lens, discipline is only good if it serves the "greater good."
The Good: If being disciplined leads to widespread happiness, then it’s highly valuable. For example, a doctor’s disciplined training allows them to save many lives, creating immense happiness for countless families.
The Bad: If discipline becomes harsh or oppressive, it’s a bad thing. A government that forces people into disciplined labor camps might claim it’s for society's benefit, but the immense suffering it causes would make it wrong from a utilitarian view.
So, for a utilitarian, discipline is a tool, not a virtue in itself. Its value depends entirely on the happiness it produces.
6. Hedonism: The Surprising Role of Discipline
What is Hedonism?
Many people think hedonism is about partying and indulging in every desire. But in philosophy, it's more nuanced. Hedonism simply states that pleasure and happiness are the most important goals in life. The smartest hedonists know that not every quick pleasure is worth it.
The Hedonist View on Discipline:
This is where it gets interesting. A school of hedonism called Epicureanism argues that discipline is the secret to the greatest pleasure.
How? Think about it: the pleasure of eating a whole cake is immediate, but the stomach ache and health problems that follow are not. The pleasure of skipping a workout is temporary, but the long-term feeling of being unhealthy and sluggish is a much bigger "pain."
Therefore, a wise hedonist uses discipline to choose pleasures wisely. They might deny themselves a short-term want (like laziness) to secure a much greater, long-term pleasure (like good health, energy, and peace of mind). In this view, discipline is your best friend in the pursuit of true, lasting happiness.
7. Nihilism & Existentialism: Discipline in a Meaningless World
What is Nihilism?
Nihilism is the belief that life has no built-in meaning, purpose, or value. The word itself comes from the Latin for "nothing." A nihilist looks at the universe and sees no grand plan, no ultimate right or wrong-just empty space and random events.
The Nihilist/Existentialist View on Discipline:
At first glance, a nihilist might ask, "If nothing matters, why be disciplined? It's all pointless anyway."
But this is where it intersects with Existentialism. Existentialists agree that the universe has no built-in meaning. However, they see this as a tremendous opportunity. It means we are free to create our own meaning.
From this combined perspective, discipline becomes a powerful act of creation. In a universe that doesn’t care, you can choose to care. You can decide that your project, your art, your relationships, or your personal growth matter. The discipline you apply to these things isn't following some cosmic rule; it's a personal commitment to the meaning you have chosen for yourself. It’s the structure you build in the emptiness.
Conclusion
As we've seen, discipline is far from a one-size-fits-all idea. It can be a path to inner peace, a tool for the greater good, a strategy for deep happiness, or a brave act of creating personal meaning in a vast universe. By understanding these different perspectives, we can better reflect on our own reasons for being disciplined and how to harness its power in our own lives.