What does "hedonism" mean?
The philosophical belief that happiness, particularly sensual pleasure, is the highest good in life.
Hedonism
/ˈhɛdənɪzəm/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The philosophical belief that happiness, particularly sensual pleasure, is the highest good in life.
- Grammar: hedonism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: altruistic ethics, appetite, appetitiveness, aretaics.
- Useful contrasts: asceticism, eudaimonia, puritanisms.
- Usage evidence: The paradox of hedonism is that the pursuit of pleasure may not lead to the most pleasurable outcomes.
How to use "hedonism"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The philosophical belief that happiness, particularly sensual pleasure, is the highest good in life. uncountable, usually
"It began with his shrugging off of both family and faith and taking the Amtrak Vermonter out of Penn Station to major in minor hedonism and minor in the major modernists at a hippie college in the great Jewless north."
- 2 an ethical system that evaluates the pursuit of pleasure as the highest good wordnet
- 3 A general devotion to the pursuit of pleasure. countable, usually
- 4 the pursuit of pleasure as a matter of ethical principle wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The paradox of hedonism is that the pursuit of pleasure may not lead to the most pleasurable outcomes."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "hedonism"?
Common synonyms include: altruistic ethics, appetite, appetitiveness, aretaics, atomism, casuistry.
How do you use "hedonism" in a sentence?
The paradox of hedonism is that the pursuit of pleasure may not lead to the most pleasurable outcomes.
How do you pronounce "hedonism"?
Pronounced /ˈhɛdənɪzəm/.
Etymology
First attested 1856: from Ancient Greek ἡδονή (hēdonḗ, “pleasure”) + -ism.