Social

definition of delight

Delight is a pleasant feeling about something. As a form of pleasure, delight produces personal satisfaction and a certain degree of well-being. It is a state of mind generally produced by things that are pleasant to the intellect or the senses.

Examples of situations in which we delight

Each individual delights in their own way. However, certain things satisfy most people. Thus, we can enjoy a good meal with a quality wine and in good company. Watching an interesting movie, listening to pleasant music or reading a book are also actions that produce satisfaction and, therefore, delight.

Artistic manifestations have an aesthetic component that awakens sensitivity and this leads to pleasure, as can happen when witnessing an art exhibition or a theatrical performance. Some very simple things can also arouse our emotions, such as a walk in the mountains in spring or observing the sea or the stars.

What delights one person may be boring and unstimulating to another. Despite this, we all seek to experience situations that make us feel good.

The delight and the senses

Our brain processes the information that the senses provide. Thus, the sense of sight is stimulated with aesthetically pleasing images. The other senses (taste, hearing, smell and touch) come into contact with reality and feelings of pleasure or displeasure are produced. The former produce delight and the latter generate rejection and discomfort.

The senses act as biological mechanisms but at the same time they can be educated through culture and learning. This is what happens with certain flavors and smells, which are initially unpleasant and with the passage of time end up producing a certain delight.

Delight as an expression of pleasure

From the point of view of brain biochemistry, human beings have an instinctive inclination towards pleasure. In other words, we avoid suffering and seek what we find stimulating.

The concept of pleasure is very complex, as it depends on the subjectivity of each person and individual and social values. However, we could say that we are "programmed" to feel pleasure. Delight is a moderate and serene manifestation of pleasure. On the contrary, there are more intense pleasant actions, such as the feeling of love.

Photos: iStock - oneinchpunch / AleksandarNakic

$config[zx-auto] not found$config[zx-overlay] not found