Hedonism, as articulated by thinkers like Epicurus or modern utilitarian’s, prioritizes pleasure as the ultimate good, often encouraging the pursuit of immediate sensory gratification. In the poem, hook-up and porn culture embody this philosophy, reducing sex to a “fleeting minute of plight” driven by “impulsive pleasures and desires.” This relentless chase for instant gratification is depicted as parasitic, sapping the soul’s vitality and turning it into a “parasite” that feeds on shallow encounters without nourishing the self. Philosophically, this aligns with critiques from existentialists like Søren Kierkegaard, who warned that a life of aesthetic hedonism—living for momentary pleasures—leads to despair, as it fails to engage with deeper questions of meaning and authenticity.

In contrast, the poem advocates a virtue ethics approach, inspired by Aristotelian philosophy, where the good life is achieved through the cultivation of virtues such as temperance, patience, and fidelity. Aristotle argued that virtues are habits that align human actions with reason and the “golden mean,” fostering eudaimonia, or flourishing. The speaker’s commitment to waiting until marriage reflects this ethos, prioritizing restraint and long-term commitment over immediate gratification. By choosing to “vow to wait until marriage” and maintain a “zero body count,” the speaker exercises virtuous patience, preserving the soul’s dignity and fostering a deeper, more meaningful connection with a future spouse. This choice counters the erosive effects of hedonism, suggesting that true fulfilment lies in disciplined, intentional living rather than indulgent excess.

Biblical Perspective: Sinful Desires vs. Godly Virtue

The biblical worldview enriches this philosophical framework by grounding the critique of hedonism in the context of sin and divine purpose. Scripture frequently warns against the pursuit of fleeting pleasures that lead to spiritual destruction. Galatians 5:16-17 urges believers to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh,” highlighting the conflict between carnal impulses and a life aligned with God’s will. The poem’s depiction of hedonistic desires turning the soul into a “parasite” echoes this biblical truth, portraying hook-up and porn culture as manifestations of fleshly indulgence that enslave rather than liberate. Romans 8:6 reinforces this, stating, “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” The speaker’s rejection of casual “soul ties” and porn reflects a deliberate choice to resist the death-dealing path of hedonism in favour of spiritual life.

Cultural and Personal Implications

The poem’s portrayal of hedonism as a “grim reaper” slashing across culture suggests a broader societal decay, where unchecked indulgence undermines communal values of trust, fidelity, and mutual respect. Philosophically, this resonates with Alasdair MacIntyre’s critique in After Virtue, where he argues that modern societies, having lost a shared moral framework, descend into emotivism, prioritizing individual desires over collective goods. The speaker’s lament of a “culture compromised” reflects this loss, positioning hookup and porn culture as symptoms of a fragmented moral landscape.

Biblically, this cultural critique finds parallels in passages like 2 Timothy 3:1-4, which describes the last days as a time when people will be “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” The speaker’s resolve to stand apart from this trend embodies a prophetic stance, akin to Daniel’s refusal to defile himself with the king’s food (Daniel 1:8), choosing instead to honour God’s design. By maintaining a “zero body count” and vowing to wait, the speaker not only preserves personal integrity but also offers a counter-cultural witness to the transformative power of virtuous living.

Conclusion

The poem’s contrast between hedonism and virtue ethics, expanded through philosophical and biblical lenses, reveals a profound call to resist the parasitic allure of hook-up and porn culture. Philosophically, it critiques the shallow despair of hedonism while championing the flourishing that comes from virtuous restraint. Biblically, it frames this choice as a rejection of sinful desires in favour of God’s sacred design for intimacy, rooted in purity and covenantal love. The speaker’s commitment to waiting until marriage stands as both a personal and cultural act of defiance, preserving the soul’s dignity and pointing toward a life of meaning, integrity, and divine alignment. This dual framework challenges individuals to reconsider their approach to sexuality, urging a return to virtues that honour both the self and the divine purpose for human relationships.