Cyrenaicism

English

Etymology

From Cyrenaic +‎ -ism, q.v.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈsaɪriˌneɪəsɪzm/, /ˈkaɪrəˌneɪəsɪzm/

Proper noun

Cyrenaicism

1. (usually derogatory) Synonym of hedonism, particularly (ethics, chiefly historical) the specific beliefs of the philosophical school of Aristippus of Cyrene, advocating pursuit of sensual pleasure as the highest good.
   • 1882 August, Contemporary Review, p. 214:

     This reads like an avowal of Epicureanism or of the more selfish philosophy of pleasure known as Cyrenaicism.

Related terms

• See Cyrenaic

References

• “Cyrenaicism, n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.