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hedonism

hedonism

8 7.5
The idea that pleasure is the most important goal in life
  • noun
  • /ˈhɛdəˌnɪzəm/
translation icon : hedonismo
  • The philosophy of hedonism suggests that seeking pleasure and avoiding pain is the ultimate goal of human existence.
  • hedonism and materialism
  • hedonism and utilitarianism

This is what hedonism looks like in practice.

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Examples

  • I'll take the beaches of Australia, the sunshine of Southern California, the hedonism of Phuket any day.

    Blog text (24)
  • And indeed, we should have well-embedded mental constraints on our hedonism to avoid doing things that are actually harmful.

    Blog text (2)
  • This is what hedonism looks like in practice.

  • So how do you put some present hedonism joy into your life?

  • I think for everybody though, the simple pure hedonism plan is probably not a good idea even on its own terms.

  • Soon many of the towns, especially the larger ones, acquired an image as havens of hedonism.

    Academic text (1996)
  • American culture continues its steep moral and cultural decline into hedonism and materialism.

    Blog text (4)
  • There is one name though that has long been associated with hedonism and that's Epicurus.

  • Self-improvement is our preoccupation, hedonism our philosophy, looking out for No. 1.

    Academic text (1993)
  • I, Bridget Jones, am done with affairs of the heart and dedicating my autumn years to the pursuit of hedonism.

Synonyms

epicureanism
vshedonism
  • Specialized
9.9

A way of thinking that values simple pleasures as the highest good and freedom from fear

values pleasure or happiness generally as the most important life goal
sensualism
vshedonism
  • NSFW
9.4

A way of life that seeks pleasure and physical enjoyment

values pleasure or happiness broadly rather than only sensory enjoyment

Antonyms

4 5.7

Choosing not to have something you want for moral, religious, or unselfish reasons

asceticism
  • Formal
3 9.4

A way of living with very strict self-control that avoids pleasure for religious or spiritual reasons

How Pleasure-Focused

hedonism
8 7.5
epicureanism
  • Specialized
9.9
temperance
5 7.1
asceticism
  • Formal
3 9.4

Surface Forms

hedonism singular
hedonisms plural

Morphology

hedonism = hedon (opaque) = hedon + ism

Although '-ism' marks a doctrine, the root 'hedon' is not a familiar standalone English word for most learners, so the meaning 'doctrine of pleasure' is not reliably derivable by average learners.

Etymology

Hedonism comes from the Greek word hedone, which means 'pleasure', and the ending -ism, which means 'a belief or system'. So hedonism is the belief that pleasure is the most important goal in life.