Thomas Hobbes Hedonism, The Theory Of Happiness And Happiness

Hedonism is the theory that pleasure and happiness is the only ideal for which to aim for in life, and in a perfect world, where ethics and happiness go hand in hand, there would be no need to choose whether to be lawfully and morally “good” or intrinsically happy; both would come to us naturally. However, in reality, this is not the case. In the fight for freedom of our great nation, Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that every man should have access to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. However, if all people acted in order to acquire only this happiness that is said to be a natural right, would each man also have the privilege of life and liberty? Or would we live in a world described by Thomas Hobbes …show more content…
Hedonism works off the premise that happiness and pleasure are intrinsically valuable whereas suffering and pain are intrinsically bad and follows that up with the premise that actions promote happiness and pleasure or pain and suffering in order to reach a conclusion that we must choose or action based on what is most advantageous to ourselves. It is a complete promotion of self-indulgence and acquisitiveness as it focuses solely on our own needs and desires regardless of its repercussions. Is it only when the consequences are a threat to the well beings of others that we must surrender our happiness and give in to the external expectations and ethics advocated by society? How do we even know what defines …show more content…
John Locke believed men were naturally good, but if so there would be no reason for regulation in the first place. Morality and ethics surpass happiness because these morals allow people other than ourselves to pursue their own happiness. While others’ happiness may not bring all people happiness of their own, it is focused on what brings the greatest amount of pleasure to the greatest amount of people. One man may gain pleasure from crime or cruel treatment of others whether it be vocally or physically, however, it may bring dozens, even hundreds of people sorrow and grief. In 2016, singer Christina Grimmie was murdered by a fan of her own. The fan might have felt a disturbing sense of joy and intimacy through his actions, but in the age of social media, within minutes there was an outpour of outrage and distress on behalf of the singer. What brought one person pleasure brought not only the entire family but thousands of fans and a majority of ordinary people grief. So how can it be admissible that one person obtaining happiness cost a majority of others such sadness, whether it be two people or two hundred people? And that does not only go for such severe crimes that entail the loss of a life, it is applicable to even harsh words, where not only the person they are aimed towards are hurt, but so are the friends and family that care for this person. If the aim of hedonism is to preach a life