The word hedonism derives from the Ancient Greek word hēdonē, meaning pleasure. Its earliest known use in English appears in the 1850s. This term refers to a family of views about the role of pleasure in human life. These views are often categorized into psychological, axiological, and ethical hedonism depending on whether they study motivation, value, or right action respectively. Psychological hedonism is the theory that all human behavior is motivated by the desire to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. As a form of egoism it suggests people only help others if they expect a personal benefit. Axiological hedonism asserts that pleasure is the sole source of intrinsic value. It claims other things like knowledge and money have value only insofar as they produce pleasure and reduce pain. This view divides into quantitative hedonism which considers intensity and duration and qualitative hedonism which identifies quality as another relevant factor. Prudential hedonism states that pleasure and pain are the only factors of well-being. Ethical hedonism applies axiological hedonism to morality arguing that people have a moral duty to pursue pleasure and avoid pain. Utilitarian versions assert the goal is to increase overall happiness for everyone whereas egoistic versions state each person should only pursue their own pleasure.
Ancient Philosophical Roots
Aristippus of Cyrene lived between 435 and 356 BCE and is usually identified as the earliest philosophical proponent of hedonism. He formulated an egoistic hedonism arguing that personal pleasure is the highest good. Aristippus and the school of Cyrenaics he inspired focused on gratification of immediate sensory pleasures with little concern for long-term consequences. Plato critiqued this view and proposed a balanced pursuit of pleasure aligning with virtue and rationality. Aristotle lived from 384 to 322 BCE and associated pleasure with eudaimonia or realization of natural human capacities like reason. Epicurus lived from 341 to 271 BCE and developed a nuanced form of hedonism contrasting with indulgence in immediate gratification. The movement he founded argues excessive desires result in anxiety and suffering suggesting instead people practice moderation cultivate tranquil states of mind and avoid pain. Lucretius further expanded on Epicureanism highlighting importance of overcoming obstacles to personal happiness such as fear of death. In ancient India starting between 6th and 5th centuries BCE the Charvaka school developed an egoistic hedonism motivated by belief in non-existence of God or afterlife. This school advocates enjoying life in present to fullest extent. Yang Zhu argued in ancient China it is human nature to follow self-interest and satisfy personal desires inspiring subsequent school of Yangism.