Final answer:
Hedonism is a moral philosophy prioritizing pleasure as the highest good and pain as the greatest evil, exemplified by Epicurus's teachings of moderation and ataraxia. It goes beyond mere sensory pleasure, considering emotional and intellectual aspects for a meaningful life. Critics, however, view pleasure as too subjective to serve as a foundational principle for ethics and well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hedonism is a philosophical theory that posits pleasure as the fundamental human good and pain as fundamentally bad. It is often associated with the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, who advocated for a life of moderation, virtue, and philosophical contemplation to achieve ataraxia, or tranquil existence. Contrary to popular use of the term, philosophical hedonism is not solely about the pursuit of bodily pleasures; it also concerns itself with intellectual and emotional states, valuing long-lasting pleasures that contribute to a meaningful life over transient, sensory delights.
In the context of moral theory, hedonism suggests that actions are evaluated in terms of their ability to produce pleasure and avoid pain. This framing has implications for ethical decisions and the pursuit of a good life. Epicurean hedonism, specifically, suggests that peace of mind and freedom from distress are prerequisites for living the good life.
Despite its intuitive appeal, hedonism has attracted criticism for its perceived failure to account for the complexity and subjectivity of pleasure. Critics argue that well-being is more complex than a simple calculus of pleasure over pain, referring to thought experiments like the Experience Machine to illustrate potential shortcomings in hedonistic philosophy.