Final answer:
Altruism is the selfless care for others' well-being, driven by empathy and compassion. Hedonism is a philosophical approach that prioritizes personal pleasure and happiness. Altruists prioritize the needs of others, while hedonists focus on maximizing their own pleasure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Altruism and hedonism are two different philosophical approaches to understanding human behavior and moral decisions. Altruism refers to the selfless care for others' well-being, where individuals prioritize the needs and interests of others over their own. On the other hand, hedonism is a philosophical approach that considers pleasure as the guiding force for determining what is good and pain as what is bad.
In the context of morality, an altruist acts in a way that benefits others without expecting anything in return, driven by empathy and the desire to relieve others' suffering. Their actions are motivated by compassion and the well-being of others. In contrast, a hedonist focuses on their own pleasure and seeks to maximize personal happiness.
For example, an altruist might volunteer at a soup kitchen to help feed the homeless because they genuinely care about the well-being of others. This action brings them joy and fulfillment, but their primary motivation is the benefit it brings to others. In contrast, a hedonist might spend their free time engaging in activities that give them pleasure, such as going to parties, playing video games, or indulging in luxurious experiences, with little concern for the impact their actions have on others.