Happiness And Hedonism

2 Pages 569 Words

Happiness and Hedonism

Hedonism can be defined as pleasure or happiness being the sole good in life. The pursuit of pleasure for the sake of happiness is the main goal of conduct. Aristippus went further to teach that pleasure is the highest human value that should be enjoyed, and pain the least which should be avoided at all costs, whether being inflicted or suffered.
He maintained that people should exercise judgment and self-control in their pursuit of happiness. His motto was, “I possess, I am not possessed.” Aristippus’ major school of thought, Cyrenaic hedonism, claimed the only concerns with obtaining pleasure is how fast, physical, brief the duration, intense, and diverse it is.
Aristippus believed that life is short and should be lived to the fullest potential of the NOW. Happiness is the pursuit of instant, tangible pleasure. Why spend an hour in deep, intellectual conversation when one can indulge in a gourmet meal that is lavishly prepared? There is no need to focus on a future that is uncertain when the immediate self-gratification is right in front of us.
Sensual pleasures are viewed as the greatest physical pleasures. Not only is one being gratified in the physical now, but the senses are being awakened for the moment. This can be seen in the first physical encounter with someone. Not only is one being touched physically, but the sheer pleasure of the other senses being explored is bliss. Getting to know that person by how they sound, taste, feel, smell, and the way they look is not only a source for happiness, but for gratification also.
“The brevity of pleasures does not take away from their worth. The aim of life is to have as many pleasurable moments as one can.” As it may take years for a “good” wine to age, it only takes a single moment for one to enjoy the pleasing taste. The longer the duration of the pleasure does not make it a better one. Time is not of the essence for the...