Pronunciation

/ˈhɛdəˌnɪzəm/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

Hedonism is a philosophical doctrine that suggests pleasure or happiness is the highest good and the proper aim of human life.

Synonyms

Pleasure-seeking, self-indulgence, indulgence, epicureanism

Antonyms

Asceticism, self-denial, abstinence, temperance

Examples

1. “The hedonism of the ancient Greek philosophers, such as Epicurus, emphasized the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain as the highest good.”

2. “Modern hedonism often manifests in the pursuit of material wealth, sensory pleasures, and instant gratification.”

Additional Information

Hedonism can vary in its interpretations, from ethical hedonism, which advocates for maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain, to psychological hedonism, which posits that all human actions are ultimately motivated by the pursuit of pleasure.