"Hedonism: the ethical theory that pleasure (in the sense of the satisfaction of desires) is the highest good and proper aim of human life. "
But intellect, rational judgement, and aesthetics need to be differentiated from sensation. Otherwise 'ethical hedonism' is reductionist in that it reduces every faculty to sensation and judgement to personal preference. Although of course in a consumer society there's really no alternative. — Wayfarer
The social good would not served by the indiscriminate satisfaction of individual wants; indeed, the damage done to society by everyone doing whatever they want, would soon undermine individual happiness - so "consequentially" hedonism would be self defeating. — counterpunch
the second question is about bodily states of "pleasure" or "pain" (i.e. functional or dysfunctional) in themselves rather than relevant to anything else — 180 Proof
the damage done to society by everyone doing whatever they want, would soon undermine individual happiness — counterpunch
Nobody's is relevant (I said "no" above already) — Pfhorrest
When I was at university, one of the books I loved to hate was B F Skinner 'Beyond Freedom and Dignity'. I always thought it called for a rejoinder named 'Beyond Reward and Punishment'. — Wayfarer
“Being happy” or otherwise not suffering is not synonymous with “doing whatever you want”. Hedonism is not necessarily extreme liberalism; consequentialist hedonism can be quite draconian in fact. — Pfhorrest
Alastair Crowley said: 'do what you want will be the whole of the law' — counterpunch
hedonism-based morality had an irresistable appeal — TheMadFool
it does have a pull, that's for sure. — Wayfarer
UK, Europe, Australia, USA - are pretty hedonistic cultures overall. — Wayfarer
I wonder why? I've always been bothered by the fact that happiness and truth are not linked in a way we would've wanted. The truth usually makes us sad (the bitter truth) and lies seem to be very good at making us happy (sweet, little lies) and yet both seem to command equal respect from us. We seek happiness and truth with equal fervor but I believe one reaches a certain point on the journey to acquire happiness and discover truths where one of them has to go; we have to choose one to the exclusion of the other, both can't be had, and the fact that this is a dilemma, a tough choice to make, suggests something, right? — TheMadFool
Interesting. I disagree. I think if we accepted truth wholeheartedly, we'd be much happier! — counterpunch
By my definition, hedonism requires the pursuit of my wants, regardless of anyone, or anything else — counterpunch
Strangely enough the original use of ‘hedonism’ (Ancient Greece) was pretty much in line with what I’m saying. — I like sushi
From the perspective of traditional cultures, both the desire for pleasure and the fear of pain are natural instincts that have to be moderated. In Greek philosophy, the appetites were to be subdued by reason which Christian philosophy inherited and modified. In Buddhism, there is an icon of the pig, rooster and chicken chasing each other, signifying want (pig), hatred (snake), stupidity (chicken). I read the other day the definition of asceticism as 'the skillful use of discomfort — Wayfarer
something more akin to utilitarianism, than hedonism — counterpunch
Get involved in philosophical discussions about knowledge, truth, language, consciousness, science, politics, religion, logic and mathematics, art, history, and lots more. No ads, no clutter, and very little agreement — just fascinating conversations.