Hedonism

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Name (Greek: joy, pleasure, lust, enjoyment, sensual desire) for the doctrine founded in antiquity by the philosopher Aristippus (435-355 BC), according to which the highest ethical principle is the pursuit of sensual pleasure and enjoyment. The philosopher Epicurus (341-271 BC), on the other hand, describes pleasure as the principle of a successful life. According to him, ataraxia (state of complete freedom from pain/distress) is also to be regarded as the highest pleasure. In common parlance, hedonism is understood to be a selfish attitude to life oriented (only) towards material pleasures. In this sense, the term is often used pejoratively and interpreted as a sign of decadence. Epicureanism, however, is usually understood as more positive (altruistic = selfless, unselfish, self-sacrificing). The Greek lyric poet Anacreon (~580-495 BC) in his songs about love, wine and cheerful conviviality, as well as the Roman lyric poet Horace (65-8 BC) with the motto "Carpe diem" (enjoy/use the day, literally "pick the day") also represent hedonistic directions.

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Hedonism

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