How could you possibly end up in a situation where pain is equal to pleasure? I think pain would only be considered positive when it
leads to greater pleasure.
Epicurus has a great hedonistic philosophy [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicurus ], here are some abridged excerpts from the wiki page:
Epicurus' philosophy is based on the theory that all good and bad derive
from the sensations of what he defined as pleasure and pain: What is good
is what is pleasurable, and what is bad is what is painful. If pain is
chosen over pleasure in some cases it is only because it leads to a greater
pleasure. Epicurus explicitly warned against overindulgence because it often
leads to pain.
Although Epicurus has been commonly misunderstood to advocate the rampant
pursuit of pleasure, his teachings were more about striving for an absence
of pain and suffering, both physical and mental, and a state of satiation
and tranquility that was free of the fear of death and the retribution of
the gods.
Humans have a wide range of pleasures, of varying degrees of richness and sophistication. People sometimes object to hedonism on the grounds that it makes us no better than swine in the mud. But I think that reflects a poor opinion of humanity. Don't we get pleasure from symphonies, poetry, and great works of art?
Epicurus himself said he could be content with water, bread, weak wine and a "pot of cheese".
Epicurus has a great hedonistic philosophy [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicurus ], here are some abridged excerpts from the wiki page:
Humans have a wide range of pleasures, of varying degrees of richness and sophistication. People sometimes object to hedonism on the grounds that it makes us no better than swine in the mud. But I think that reflects a poor opinion of humanity. Don't we get pleasure from symphonies, poetry, and great works of art?Epicurus himself said he could be content with water, bread, weak wine and a "pot of cheese".