Editing Hedonism (section)

=== Ethical hedonism ===
[[File:Epicurus-Altes Museum.jpg|thumb|upright=.7|left|alt=Bust of Epicurus|[[Epicurus]] developed a nuanced form of ethical hedonism, arguing that a [[Ataraxia|tranquil state of mind]] cultivated through moderation leads to the greatest overall happiness.<ref name="auto2">{{multiref | {{harvnb|Feldman|2001|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=KfeOAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA665 665–666]}} | {{harvnb|Weijers|loc=§ 2c. Epicurus}} }}</ref>]]

Ethical or [[Normativity|normative]] hedonism is the thesis that the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain are the highest [[Morality|moral]] principles of human behavior.{{efn|Some definitions do not distinguish between ethical and axiological hedonism, and define ethical hedonism in terms of intrinsic values rather than right action.<ref>{{harvnb|Moore|2019|loc=Lead section, § 2. Ethical Hedonism}}</ref>}} It implies that other moral considerations, like [[duty]], [[justice]], or [[virtue]], are relevant only to the extent that they influence pleasure and pain.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Weijers|loc=Lead section}} | {{harvnb|Tilley|2012|loc=§ II. Ethical Hedonism}} }}</ref>

Theories of ethical hedonism can be divided into egoistic and [[utilitarian]] theories. Egoistic hedonism says that each person should only pursue their own pleasure. According to this controversial view, a person only has a moral reason to care about the happiness of others if this happiness impacts their own well-being. For example, if a person feels guilty about harming others, they have a reason not to do so. However, a person would be free to harm others, and would even be morally required to, if they benefit from it overall.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Weijers|loc=§ 1d. Normative Hedonism, § 1e. Hedonistic Egoism}} | {{harvnb|Tilley|2012|loc=§ II. Ethical Hedonism}} }}</ref>

Utilitarian hedonism, also called ''classical utilitarianism'', asserts that everyone's happiness matters. It says that a person should maximize the sum total of happiness of everybody affected by their actions. This sum total includes the person's own happiness, but it is only one factor among many without any special preference compared to the happiness of others.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Weijers|loc=§ 1d. Normative Hedonism, § 1f. Hedonistic Utilitarianism}} | {{harvnb|Tilley|2012|loc=§ II. Ethical Hedonism}} }}</ref> As a result, utilitarian hedonism sometimes requires of people to forego their own enjoyment to benefit others. For example, philosopher [[Peter Singer]] argues that good earners should donate a significant portion of their income to charities since this money can produce more happiness for people in need.<ref>{{harvnb|Singer|2016|pp=163, 165}}</ref>

Ethical hedonism is often understood as a form of [[consequentialism]], which asserts that an act is right if it has the best consequences. It is typically combined with axiological hedonism, which links the intrinsic value of consequences to pleasure and pain. As a result, the arguments for and against axiological hedonism also apply to ethical hedonism.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Frykhol|Rutherford|2013|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=5KeaFMOoqbUC&pg=PA416 416]}} | {{harvnb|Robertson|Walter|2013|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=kaN7AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA3 3]}} | {{harvnb|Weijers|loc=§ 1d. Normative Hedonism, § 1e. Hedonistic Egoism, § 1f. Hedonistic Utilitarianism}} }}</ref>