Hedonism facts for kids

Hedonism is a type of philosophy that explores what makes life good. At its core, hedonism is the belief that "pleasure is the highest good." This means that whatever brings pleasure or happiness is considered the right thing to do.

People who follow hedonistic ideas believe that things making them happy are good. They also think that avoiding pain is good. Hedonism focuses on pleasure. However, there are different ways to think about pleasure. Some people believe it's important to get as many pleasurable experiences as possible. Others think that the quality of the pleasure matters more. They might believe there are "higher" and "lower" kinds of pleasures.

Different Kinds of Hedonism

There are two main types of hedonism from ancient Greece: Cyrenaicism and Epicureanism. These ideas were developed by different philosophers who had slightly different views on pleasure.

Cyrenaicism: Quick Happiness

Cyrenaicism is a type of hedonism where people try to make themselves happy as quickly as possible. Followers of this idea, like Aristippus of Cyrene, focused on immediate pleasures. They believed that the most important thing was to enjoy the present moment and seek out intense, physical pleasures right now. They didn't worry much about the future or long-term consequences.

Epicureanism: Lasting Happiness

Epicureanism is another type of hedonism, founded by the philosopher Epicurus. People who followed Epicureanism also wanted to be happy, but they approached it differently. They aimed for a calm and peaceful happiness that would last longer. Epicureans tried to avoid pain and trouble, even if it meant choosing less intense pleasures. They thought about the future and believed that true happiness came from things like:

• Friendship
• Learning
• Living a simple life
• Being free from fear and worry

They believed that these "higher" pleasures led to a more stable and lasting happiness than just seeking quick, intense thrills.

Hedonism Today

Even today, people discuss hedonism. Modern philosophers like Michel Onfray and David Pearce explore these ideas. Some people might think of hedonism as just seeking fun, but it's a much deeper philosophical idea about what makes a good life. It makes us think about what truly brings us happiness and how we can live a life that feels good.

Images for kids

• 

  Aristippus of Cyrene, an ancient Greek philosopher who founded Cyrenaicism.

• 

  Michel Onfray, a contemporary French philosopher who writes about hedonism.

• 

  David Pearce, a modern philosopher who explores how technology might help us experience more pleasure and less pain.

See also

In Spanish: Hedonismo para niños