Hedonism

Pronunciation

• enPR: hÄ“dÉ™nÄ­zÉ™m, IPA: /ˈhiːdÉ™nɪzÉ™m/
• Hyphenation: he + don + ism

Origin

From Ancient Greek ἡδονή (hēdonē, "pleasure") + -ism. (Eng. usg. 1856)

Full definition of hedonism

Noun

1. (ethics) 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.
2. A general devotion to the pursuit of pleasure.

Antonyms

• asceticism

Related terms

• hedonic
• hedonics
• hedonist
• hedonistic
• hedonistically