Hedonism Essay -- Papers

Websters dictionary defines hedonism as theethical doctrine that joy, variously conceived ofin terms of happiness of the individual or of society,is the principal good and the straight-laced aim of action orthe theory that a person ever so acts is such a way asto seek pleasure and debar pain. With this definitionin mind, and with further examination of John StuartMills theory on hedonism, I am going to argue thathedonism is not an exclusive or distinct way ofthinking. In fact, I think that with the exception of by chance a few people, most people are veryhedonistically inclined. voluptuary utilitarians identify happiness withfeeing pleasure and forefending pain, squiffying that the morean individual enjoys pleasure and avoids pain, thehappier that individual is (phil.tamu.edu). Now, isthis really a new and profound thought? If you avoidpain, you will lead a happier lif e? With a fewexceptions, I dont know many people who see pain asenjoyment. close to people I know have made it a blot toenjoy themselves in so me fasion or another, and that doesnt include the enjoyment of pain.Mills boilersuit subject is the right of theindivieual to think and act for himeself of herself. For Mill this does not mean the right to think and actas you please (Castell 360). Eventhough Mill advanceindependent thought and actions, he did not justifyrunning rough and doing whatever you liked. Accordingto the Hedonic nightclub, what they call EnlightenedHedonism (a realistic and humanistic lifestanceadvocation the ration cultivation of pleasure andhappiness for all) rotter be state... ...ve a relatively balanced life, you would includeboth strong-arm and intellectual aspects of your life. Whether or notyou would be denominate a heathen would remain to beseen. If you incorporate the greater needs of othersinto your individual neighboring(a) needs, then te chnically,yes, that would be Hedonism. But, I would venture tosay that you would be labeled a nice person. Works CitedCastell, Alburey, et al., Introduction to MoernPhilosophy Examining the Human Condition. (New tee shirt Prentice Hall, 2001). Hedonism. Stanford University (online)www.stanford.edu/quixote/philosophies.htmhedonism*. (12/03/2001).John Stuart Mill. unknown (online) *www-/phil.tamu.edu/gary/intro/lecture.mill_1.html. (12/03/2001).What is Enlightened Hedonism? Hedonic Society(online) *www.hedonicsociety.org/custom/html*.(12/03/2001)