“If it feels good, do it, you only live once”. Hedonists are always up for a good time and believe the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain is the highest good.
However, it’s obvious that this simple definition of hedonism has a cost. Putting personal pleasure first over your responsibilities to others is not only selfish, but it may be self-destructive in the long term. It certainly sidelines other sources of meaning in life.
This article explores the philosophical meaning of hedonism and its various branches that offer more nuanced perspectives on enjoyment than the simple pursuit of pleasure at any cost.
We also explore hedonism in the context of positive psychology, ‘the good life’, and meaningful, values-driven living. Read on to find out more.
Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Happiness & Subjective Wellbeing Exercises for free. These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients identify sources of authentic happiness and strategies to boost wellbeing.
In this article:
Loss of Identity: How to Reconnect With Your True Self
What happens when you no longer feel clear about who you are?...
Read MoreIdentity vs. Role Confusion: Unsure About Who You Are?
“Who am I?” This is a question many of us ask at...
Read MoreHow to Cope With Grief: Resilience Skills for Life After Loss
When we lose someone close, life rarely returns to normal after a...
Read More7-Day Resilience Reset: How to Get Through Hard Times
Hard times make ordinary life tasks difficult to manage. When you are...
Read MoreHow to Strengthen Your Relationships Using Anchor Cards
Think about the friends you’ve kept since high school or the coworkers...
Read MoreHow to Build a Personal Strength Stack
Most of us likely know at least a few of our personal...
Read More