Paradox of hedonism

In his book, Pleasure and the Good Life, Fred Feldman introduces an idea known as Default Hedonism. Default hedonism can be broken down into three separate claims that tie together in a single formula. Before default hedonism is defined, Feldman shares that some assumptions about pleasure and pain should be made. The first two assumptions address pleasure. The first assumption is that pleasures are certain feelings or sensations that result in an “episode.” According to Feldman, “episodes” have…

This brief exchange epitomizes the difference between Roark and Toohey, between selfishness and selflessness, between egoism and altruism, between individualism and collectivism. More importantly, Roark’s simple, but powerful, answer demonstrates why selfishness is a virtue and selflessness a vice; why one represents moral integrity, and the other moral turpitude. Roark’s reply reflects his moral and intellectual independence- he is not defined by what others think- and therein lies the source…

approach to understanding a true reality. Happiness was a subject Epicurious focused heavily on, he discussed the school of thought Hedonism which believes the way to an ideal life is through pleasures, for example, foods, sex, and alcohol as the highest choices to reaching these pleasures, In vulgar hedonism these pleasures have no limits, but according to Epicurean hedonism too much of these pleasures will lead to a negative outcome, and states that these should be chosen, also as avoiding…

Utilitarianism and Libertarianism PO-406-01 Criminal Justice Seminar Olivia Guiney February 18th 2016 When I consider Utilitarianism and the principal of utility, I first consider our inherent nature. Our nature and our own fostered environment have us under the governance of “Two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. For pain and pleasure dictates how we live, the decisions we make and the chains of cause and effect. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by…

Well-being and justices sometimes conflict (Fund of Ethics, p.118). Utilitarianism argues that the best life is a life of sacrifice, sometimes extreme. If the motivation is too produce good results, then the action can be extreme. Thus, this is the case with torture. Philosophers have discussed the hypothetical case of the ticking time bomb in which “a decent leader of a nation is plagued with terrorism is asked to authorize the torture of a rebel leader who knows or probably knows the city,…

People who are mentally ill and commit crimes are able to get therapy rather than be punished. There are multiple ideologies that argue whether or not therapy should be an option. For example, the idea of Utilitarianism is to promote the greatest amount of happiness possible. In this essay, I will be arguing that Utilitarianism supports the idea of therapy because it brings greater happiness for the many, it allows society to help those who refused to be helped, and there is no “right” and…

Starting from the utilitarian perspective in the nursing profession, the perspective promotes a moral standard that is based on utilitarianism. It concentrates on those actions that are good, and which must produce the best result for human beings. It assumed that human well being should be the major concern of every human behavior. The well-being of human being is the major appeal of this ethical theory. The perspective promotes moral conduct, which must always guide practitioners in deciding…

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that defines as “the ethical doctrine that virtue is based on utility, and that conduct should be directed toward promoting the greatest happiness of the greatest number of persons (dictionary.com).” In other words, that the best decision for society should impact the greater population positively. There are many proactive and hindering attributes to Parole and Probation. It is supposed to have a positive outcome for the “greater good,” but many individuals…

B1. What do you see as the most damaging objection to Utilitarianism? Do you think Utilitarianism can survive it? Utilitarianism is an effort to provide an answer to the ethical question: “What should a man to do?” How should he act to others? Its answer is that he ought to do good or not do bad. Happiness is obtained from the feeling of doing good to others. But why then are so many altruistic people so miserably depressed? Let's take Mother Theresa for example. She dedicate her life's work…

The complete absence of pain my present itself to be blissful, though this very notion allows for the flaws of uncontested pleasure to shine through. Utopia is generally thought to be devoid of any struggle, which in practicality, this overshadows humanity’s genuine need for pain. This presents the need for emotional equilibrium, which contributes to the betterment of society through the balance of pleasure and pain. The thoughts presented by both Epicurus and Keats speak to the necessity of…