Hedonism

Ethics is a fascinating, yet somewhat humorous matter to study. There are numerous theories that can be applied to every kind of ethical dilemma, and the reason it is so unique is that each theory will take you down a different road of reasoning as to how and why a person should act a certain way. The beauty of ethics is that no matter which path you choose to follow, there is really no certain right or wrong answer because every person’s moral standards and ethical foundations will always vary, sometimes even down to the smallest detail. One of the most popular yet debatable views of ethics is the theory of hedonism.

         The word hedonism comes from the Greek word “hedone,” which simply means “pleasure” (FOE 24). “Hedonism is the philosophy that pleasure is the most important pursuit of mankind, and the only thing that is good for an individual” (Philosophy Basics). Hedonists believe that the only thing that is intrinsically valuable is genuine happiness. The value of every other aspect of an individual’s life are measured by how much happiness that aspect can actually bring to that person. On the contrary, hedonists believe that the only thing that is intrinsically bad is unhappiness. Intrinsic value describes things that are good in and of themselves, and unconnected with any kind of good results that they may lead to. Examples of intrinsic value may include happiness, desire, satisfaction, virtue, and knowledge (FOE G-4). On the contrary, instrumental value describes things that which bring about other good things. For example, a vaccination holds instrumental value because it can bring about good health. Money holds instrumental value because it is used to purchase things of instrumental value, such as a boat, and for some people, it leads to intrinsic value when money is something that makes a person genuinely happy.  

According to hedonists, a person’s life is better based on how pleasure can be attributed and how little pain is experienced. Therefore, because happiness stems from pleasure and pleasure is the only good in life, and pain is the only evil in life, a person’s main goal should be maximize pleasure and minimize pain (Philosophy Basics).  There are two kinds of pleasure, physical pleasure and attitudinal pleasure. Physical pleasures are those that we experience during things like indulging in our favorite desserts, getting a nice back massage from a masseuse, or, and probably most pursued at least by men, sex with a beautiful woman. However, the hedonist sees genuine happiness stemming from attitudinal pleasure, the positive attitude of enjoyment (FOE 24). Hedonists claim that enjoyment, rather than physical pleasure, is the true key to “the good life” (FOE 24). There is not necessarily a certain sensation, feeling, or physical quality that can be associated with happiness. In other words, happiness is a hard feeling to actually put into words, probably because everyone has a different way to describe this feeling. For example, earning an A on this paper and ultimately in the class can cause real happiness. For others, winning the Stanley Cup or being at their favorite country concert in the summer can be an attitudinal pleasure.

        Over the years, Hedonism has attracted many fans for a number of reasons. One reason is that hedonists like to emphasize that there are many paths to happiness (FOE 26). As previously stated, everyone has a different idea of what is going to make him or her happy. Long ago, early philosophers such as Plato or Aristotle would have rejected this idea, claiming that the only path to true happiness was philosophical contemplation and revelation (FOE 26). Nowadays, our society would almost always reject this school of thought for a number of reasons. Instead, we have the notion that everyone, no matter their circumstances, has the chance to experience their own “good life.” Because the sources of happiness vary, and happiness is the ultimate key to the good life, there are numerous ways a person can live the good life (FOE 26). What makes me happy is not going to be the same as what makes Professor Oljar happy, but there’s no reason that she and I both cannot live a good life despite our different recipes to attain it.

        Another reason that hedonism has gained so many followers is because it sort of gives each individual the personal authority to dictate his or her own happiness. What makes us happy is largely a matter of personal choice and opinion, and so as long as we really understand what makes us happy, hedonism supports the resentment that an individual will feel when others try to tell us how to live our lives (FOE 26-27). When others try to counsel us about what they think is for our own good, hedonism assures us that this advice is deeply mistaken (FOE 27). I have a perfect example from personal experience with this. One of my best friends dated a girl for a long time, but it was the type of relationship where the two of them seemed to break up and get back together at least once a month. Whenever this friend of mine came to me for advice, I always began by explaining to him what I think he should do and why, yet always ended my lecture by telling him that regardless of what anyone tells him, he needs to do what he knows is going to make him happy in the end because he is the only one who truly knows what is going to make him happy. Looking back, I realize now that in some sense, I was giving him hedonistic advice!