A Look At Hedonism
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
James Winchester
Abstract
Brett Bowers Research Day Proposal: A Look at Hedonism (Abstract/Key Words) Hedonism introduces us to a convenient, yet slightly inoperative compass for determining moral values. While it contains useful, fundamental truths, in order for hedonism to provide us with a strong basis for moral values it needs certain modifications, modifications that seem to forsake its foundations. In its purest form hedonism necessitates pleasure as the highest form of good and the best path to moral righteousness. Hedonism’s emphasis on pleasure ultimately limits its ability to speak on matters that do not pertain directly to pleasure. Additionally, in order for hedonists such as Micheal Onfray or Epicurus to address many of these limitations, or objections they must either stray from key hedonistic premises, or at least modify or add to many of hedonisms original lines of thought. First, for example, Onfray, Epicurus and most hedonists acknowledge that some pleasure is not valuable or good. Second, Onfray makes it clear that hedonism does not necessitate self-centered behavior. Third, Onfray and Epicurus somewhat agree that the pursuit of pleasure alone, without moderation or control is ultimately self-defeating, and tapering one’s pursuit of pleasure seems to be a more ideal stance for a morally sound and fulfilling lifestyle. However, each of these thoughts essentially belay the founding premise of hedonism, that pleasure is life’s highest good and supreme pursuit. In other words, Onfray or Epicurus’ additions and modification to Hedonistic thought seem to push back against the most basic premise of hedonism, that pleasure is the most beneficial outcome of any given action. To answer the questions of this paper, Onfray, Michel. A Hedonist Manifesto: The Power to Exist. Columbia University Press, 2015.; as well as, Dorsey, Dale. “Objectivity and Perfection in Hume’s Hedonism.” Journal of the History of Philosophy, vol. 53, no. 2, Apr. 2015, pp. 245– 70. EBSCOhost, https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=phl&AN=PHL224 2024&site=ehost-live&scope=site.;, will be a central source that will be examined in greater detail. Key Words: 1. Hedonism 2. Modification 3. Pleasure 4. Moral 5. Limitations 6. Premise
Start Date
27-3-2024 10:20 AM
End Date
27-3-2024 10:28 AM
Location
Arts and Sciences 2-75
A Look At Hedonism
Arts and Sciences 2-75
Brett Bowers Research Day Proposal: A Look at Hedonism (Abstract/Key Words) Hedonism introduces us to a convenient, yet slightly inoperative compass for determining moral values. While it contains useful, fundamental truths, in order for hedonism to provide us with a strong basis for moral values it needs certain modifications, modifications that seem to forsake its foundations. In its purest form hedonism necessitates pleasure as the highest form of good and the best path to moral righteousness. Hedonism’s emphasis on pleasure ultimately limits its ability to speak on matters that do not pertain directly to pleasure. Additionally, in order for hedonists such as Micheal Onfray or Epicurus to address many of these limitations, or objections they must either stray from key hedonistic premises, or at least modify or add to many of hedonisms original lines of thought. First, for example, Onfray, Epicurus and most hedonists acknowledge that some pleasure is not valuable or good. Second, Onfray makes it clear that hedonism does not necessitate self-centered behavior. Third, Onfray and Epicurus somewhat agree that the pursuit of pleasure alone, without moderation or control is ultimately self-defeating, and tapering one’s pursuit of pleasure seems to be a more ideal stance for a morally sound and fulfilling lifestyle. However, each of these thoughts essentially belay the founding premise of hedonism, that pleasure is life’s highest good and supreme pursuit. In other words, Onfray or Epicurus’ additions and modification to Hedonistic thought seem to push back against the most basic premise of hedonism, that pleasure is the most beneficial outcome of any given action. To answer the questions of this paper, Onfray, Michel. A Hedonist Manifesto: The Power to Exist. Columbia University Press, 2015.; as well as, Dorsey, Dale. “Objectivity and Perfection in Hume’s Hedonism.” Journal of the History of Philosophy, vol. 53, no. 2, Apr. 2015, pp. 245– 70. EBSCOhost, https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=phl&AN=PHL224 2024&site=ehost-live&scope=site.;, will be a central source that will be examined in greater detail. Key Words: 1. Hedonism 2. Modification 3. Pleasure 4. Moral 5. Limitations 6. Premise