Editing Hedonism (section)

=== Ancient ===
[[File:Aristippus.jpg|thumb|alt=Picture of Aristippus|[[Aristippus of Cyrene]] is often seen as the first proponent of philosophical hedonism.]]

Hedonism is one of the oldest philosophical theories and some interpreters trace it back to the [[Epic of Gilgamesh]], written around 2100–2000 BCE.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Porter|2001|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=MCRZ3AlBDJ4C&pg=PA94 94]}} | {{harvnb|Gosling|1998|loc=Lead section}} | {{harvnb|Forgas|Baumeister|2018|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=DipKDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1951 Philosophical Antecedents]}} | {{harvnb|Ackermann|Schroeder|Terry|Upshur|2008|p=161}} }}</ref> It was a central topic in [[Ancient Greek philosophy|ancient Greek thought]], where [[Aristippus of Cyrene]] (435-356 BCE) is usually identified as its earliest philosophical proponent. As a student of [[Socrates]] ({{circa|469–399 BCE}}),<ref>{{harvnb|Dehsen|2013|p=178}}</ref> he formulated a hedonistic egoism, arguing that personal pleasure is the highest good. He and the school of [[Cyrenaics]] he inspired focused on the gratification of immediate sensory pleasures with little concern for long-term consequences.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Weijers|loc=§ 2b. Aristippus and the Cyrenaics}} | {{harvnb|Brandt|2006|p=255}} | {{harvnb|Taylor|2005|p=364}} | {{harvnb|Feldman|2001|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=KfeOAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA664 664–665]}} }}</ref> [[Plato]] ({{circa|428–347 BCE}})<ref>{{harvnb|Dehsen|2013|p=156}}</ref> critiqued this view and proposed a more balanced pursuit of pleasure that aligns with virtue and rationality.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Taylor|2005|p=364}} | {{harvnb|Gosling|1998|loc=§ 1. History and Varieties of Hedonism}} }}</ref> Following a similar approach, [[Aristotle]] (384–322 BCE)<ref>{{harvnb|Dehsen|2013|p=13}}</ref> associated pleasure with [[eudaimonia]] or the realization of natural human capacities, like reason.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Taylor|2005|p=365}} | {{harvnb|Gosling|1998|loc=§ 1. History and Varieties of Hedonism}} }}</ref>

[[Epicurus]] (341–271 BCE) developed a nuanced form of hedonism that contrasts with the indulgence in immediate gratification proposed by the Cyrenaics. He argued that excessive desires result in anxiety and suffering, suggesting instead that people practice moderation, cultivate a [[ataraxia|tranquil state of mind]], and avoid pain.<ref name="auto2"/> Following [[Antisthenes]] ({{circa|446—366 BCE}}), the [[Cynicism (philosophy)|Cynics]] warned against the pursuit of pleasure, viewing it as an obstacle to freedom.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Gosling|1998|loc=§ 1. History and Varieties of Hedonism}} | {{harvnb|Piering|loc=§ 2. Basic Tenets}} }}</ref> The [[Stoics]] also dismissed a hedonistic lifestyle, focusing on virtue and integrity instead of seeking pleasure and avoiding pain.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Gosling|1998|loc=§ 1. History and Varieties of Hedonism}} | {{harvnb|Pigliucci|loc=§ 1d. Debates with Other Hellenistic Schools}} }}</ref> [[Lucretius]] ({{circa|99–55 BCE}}) further expanded on Epicureanism, highlighting the importance of overcoming obstacles to personal happiness, such as the fear of death.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Simpson|loc=§ 2b.iii. Ethics}} | {{harvnb|Ewin|2002|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=KrpEdzoEktQC&pg=PA12 12]}} | {{harvnb|Asmis|2018|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZpByDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1 142–143]}} }}</ref>

In [[ancient India]], the [[Charvaka]] school developed a hedonistic egoism, starting between the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. Their belief in the [[Atheism|non-existence of God]] or an [[afterlife]] led them to advocate for enjoying life in the present to the fullest. Many other Indian traditions rejected this view and recommended a more ascetic lifestyle, a tendency common among [[Hinduism|Hindu]], [[Buddhism|Buddhist]], and [[Jainism|Jain]] schools of thought.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Weijers|loc=§ 2a. Cārvāka}} | {{harvnb|Riepe|1956|pp=551–552}} | {{harvnb|Turner-Lauck Wernicki|loc=§ 2b. Materialism as Heresy}} | {{harvnb|Wilson|2015|loc=§ Introduction}} }}</ref> In ancient China, [[Yang Zhu]] ({{circa|440–360 BCE}}){{efn|Some interpreters question whether Yang Zhu is a historical or a mythical figure.<ref>{{harvnb|Norden|Ivanhoe|2023|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=z663EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA111 111]}}</ref>}} argued that it is human nature to follow self-interest and satisfy personal desires. His hedonistic egoism inspired the subsequent school of [[Yangism]].<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Roetz|1993|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=BV2NjFqsUTEC&pg=PA243 243–244]}} | {{harvnb|Norden|Ivanhoe|2023|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=z663EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA111 111]}} }}</ref>