Final answer:
Philosophical hedonism, particularly from Epicurus, suggests that pleasure is the foundation for well-being, but faces criticism for pleasure's subjectivity and the hedonic treadmill concept. Utilitarianism extends hedonism to ethical judgments based on the greatest pleasure for the most people. Critics question the practical and ethical sustainability of pursuing pleasure as the sole measure of well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
Philosophers have varying perspectives on the sustainability of hedonism and the concept of the hedonic treadmill. Hedonism, in a philosophical sense, proposes that well-being is achieved through pleasure and the avoidance of pain. Epicurus's version of hedonism emphasized tranquility or ataraxia, suggesting a moderate, virtuous life leads to the greatest pleasure. This contrasts with the idea of the hedonic treadmill, which posits that individuals return to a set level of happiness despite major positive or negative events, challenging the long-term attainment of happiness through pleasure alone.
Utilitarianism, following Bentham and Mill, views morality through the lens of maximizing pleasure for the most people, pointing to happiness as the basis for judging the morality of actions. However, critics argue that pleasure is subjective and fleeting, thus an unreliable basis for ethical frameworks. The experience machine thought experiment questions whether experiencing pleasure in a simulated reality is as valuable as authentic experiences, further highlighting the complexities in hedonism's sustainability as a guiding principle for well-being.