Hedonism — is the philosophy that pleasure is of ultimate importance, the most important pursuit. The name derives from the Greek word for delight (polytonic|ἡδονισμός hēdonismos from polytonic|ἡδονή hēdonē pleasure , a cognate of English sweet + suffix… … Wikipedia
Hedonism — • The name given to the group of ethical systems that hold, with various modifications, that feelings of pleasure or happiness are the highest and final aim of conduct; that, consequently those actions which increase the sum of pleasure are… … Catholic encyclopedia
Hedonism — Hed on*ism, n. 1. The doctrine of the Hedonic sect; the pursuit of pleasure as a matter of ethical principle. [WordNet sense 1] [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5] 2. The ethical theory which finds the explanation and authority of duty in its tendency… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
hedonism — 1856, from Gk. hedone (see HEDONIST (Cf. hedonist)) + ISM (Cf. ism) … Etymology dictionary
hedonism — ► NOUN 1) the pursuit of pleasure; sensual self indulgence. 2) Philosophy the theory that pleasure (in the sense of the satisfaction of desires) is the highest good and proper aim of human life. DERIVATIVES hedonist noun hedonistic adjective.… … English terms dictionary
hedonism — [hēd′ n iz΄əm] n. [< Gr hēdonē, pleasure (see HEDONIC) + ISM] 1. Philos. the ethical doctrine that pleasure, variously conceived of in terms of happiness of the individual or of society, is the principal good and the proper aim of action 2.… … English World dictionary
hedonism — Synonyms and related words: Christian ethics, Cyrenaic hedonism, Cyrenaicism, Stoicism, altruistic ethics, appetite, appetitiveness, aretaics, casuistry, categorical imperative, comparative ethics, deontology, egoistic ethics, empiricism,… … Moby Thesaurus
hedonism — The pursuit of one s own pleasure as an end in itself; in ethics, the view that such a pursuit is the proper aim of all action. Since there are different conceptions of pleasure there are correspondingly different varieties of hedonism. Unless… … Philosophy dictionary
hedonism — noun Etymology: Greek hēdonē pleasure; akin to Greek hēdys sweet more at sweet Date: 1856 1. the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life 2. a way of life based on or suggesting the principles of hedonism • hedonist… … New Collegiate Dictionary
hedonism — /heed n iz euhm/, n. 1. the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the highest good. 2. devotion to pleasure as a way of life: The later Roman emperors were notorious for their hedonism. [1855 60; < Gk hedon(é) pleasure + ISM] Syn. 2. sensualism … Universalium
