The philosophical belief that pleasure is the highest good and proper aim of human life. Focuses on maximizing net pleasure (pleasure minus pain). In hedonism, pleasure is not merely a component of a good life, it is the only thing that makes life valuable, acting as the ultimate validator of all decisions.
Types of Hedonism
- Value Hedonism: Proposes that only pleasure has intrinsic value and only pain has intrinsic disvalue.
- Normative Hedonism: Argues that people should pursue pleasure as their primary goal.
- Motivational Hedonism: Asserts that only the desire for pleasure and aversion to pain guide human behavior.
Key Schools
Arguments For and Against
- For: It is intuitive that pleasure feels good and pain feels bad, making them natural guides for life. It can lead to a well-balanced life when looking at long-term happiness.
- Against: Critics argue it can lead to selfishness, emptiness, or addiction. The “pleasure machine” argument suggests that humans desire more from life than just pleasant sensations (e.g., authenticity and meaning).