hedonism
English
Etymology
First attested 1856: from Ancient Greek ἡδονή (hēdonḗ, “pleasure”) + -ism.
Pronunciation
- enPR: hēdənĭzəm, IPA(key): /ˈhiːdənɪzəm/
Audio (US): (file) Audio (AU): (file) - Hyphenation: he‧don‧ism
Noun
hedonism (usually uncountable, plural hedonisms)
- (ethics, uncountable) The belief that pleasure or happiness is the highest good in life. Some hedonists, such as the Epicureans, have insisted that pleasure of the entire mind, not just pleasure of the senses, is the highest good.
- (countable) A general devotion to the pursuit of pleasure.
Antonyms
Related terms
Translations
philosophy
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devotion to the pursuit of pleasure
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See also
Further reading
- “hedonism”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
- “hedonism”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.