Value Theory and Hedonism

Intrinsic Value

To say that something is intrinsically good means that its goodness does not depend on what it causes, what results from its being present in one’s life, or from its relation to other things.

Instrumental Value

Something that has merely instrumental value, money for example, is necessary for a good life but it is necessary as a means. Having money does not constitute a good life although it is necessary for a good life.

Necessary Conditions

For any pair of statements, Q is a necessary condition for P just in case the combination ‘P is true’ and ‘Q is false’ is impossible.

Sufficient Conditions

If P, then Q. The truth of P is sufficient for, or enough for, the truth of Q. For any pair of statements, if the truth of P and the falsity of Q is impossible, then the truth of P is sufficient for the truth of Q.

Value Hedonism

Pleasure is the only thing that is intrinsically good, and all pleasure is intrinsically good; pain is the only thing that is intrinsically bad, and all pain is intrinsically bad.

Psychological Hedonism

the basic motive of all human conduct is to increase happiness or decrease suffering.

Egoistic Psychological Hedonism

the basic motive of all human conduct is to increase the happiness or decrease the suffering of the agent.

Altruistic psychological hedonism

the basic motive of all human conduct is to increase happiness or decrease suffering, either of the agent or another.

Lower Pleasures Argument

(1) If Hedonism is true, we should always choose what brings us the most pleasure.

(2) If we choose what brings us the most pleasure, we should choose ‘lower’ sensual activities over ‘higher’ activities when the lower activities result in more pleasure.

(3) We should not always choose ‘lower’ sensual activities, over ‘higher’ activities when the lower pleasures result in more pleasure.

(4) If (3), then we should not choose what brings us the most pleasure.

(5) We should not choose what brings us the most pleasure.

(6) If (5), then Hedonism is not true.

(7) Thus, Hedonism is not true

Monistic Theories

One thing is intrinsically valuable

Pluralistic Theories

Multiple things are intrinsically valuable.

Experiential Pleasure

good feelings associated with various bodily sensations and conscious states.

Attitudinal Pleasure

e: enjoyment that something is the case; or having the thought that p is true and being pleased that p is true.

Many Intrinsic Goods Argument

(1) If hedonism is true, then virtue, achievement, and friendship directly improve one’s life only if they increase one’s happiness. (2) But virtue, achievement, and friendship sometimes directly improve one’s life without increasing one’s happiness. (3) Therefore, hedonism is not true.

Consistency Argument for Hedonism

(1) If Hedonism is consistent with other well-founded beliefs, then there is good reason to think Hedonism is true. (2) Hedonism is consistent with the well-founded belief that many different kinds of activities lead different people to have happy lives. (3) Therefore, there is good reason to think Hedonism is true.

The Obviousness Argument that Pleasure is Intrinsically good

(1) Upon consideration of p: pleasure is intrinsically good and not-p: pleasure is not intrinsically good, it is obvious to me that p. (2) Therefore, I should believe that p: pleasure is intrinsically good.

Immoral Pleasures Argument

(1) If all pleasure is good, then pleasure brought about by immoral acts is as good as pleasure brought about by moral acts. (2) Pleasure brought about by immoral acts is not as good as pleasure brought about by moral acts. (3) So, it is not the case that all pleasure is good.

Paradox of Hedonism

(1) If happiness is the only thing that directly improves one’s life, then it is reasonable to always aim at increasing one’s happiness. (2) It is not reasonable to always aim at increasing one’s happiness. (3) Hence, happiness is not the only thing that directly improves one’s life.

False belief argument against Hedonism

(1) If Hedonism is true, then pleasure based on false beliefs directly improves one’s life as much as pleasure based on true beliefs. (2) But pleasure based on false beliefs does not directly improve one’s life as much as pleasure based on true beliefs. (3) Therefore, Hedonism is not true.

Autonomy Argument Against Hedonism

(1) If Hedonism is true, then the amount of happiness one experiences is the only thing that directly improves one’s life. (2) Exercising autonomy sometimes directly improves one’s life, regardless of whether it increases or decreases the amount of happiness one experiences. (3) Therefore, Hedonism is not true.

The Shape of a Life Argument

(1) If A’s lifeline has a descending shape and B’s lifeline has an ascending shape and the amount of happiness in each is the same, then B’s life is better than A’s. (2) A’s lifeline has a descending shape and B’s lifeline has an ascending shape and the amount of happiness in each is the same. (3) Therefore, B’s life is better than A’s. (4) If (3), then the shape of a life improves or worsens a life independent of the amount of happiness in the life. (5) The shape of a life improves or worsens a life independent of the amount of happiness in the life. (6) If (5) then Hedonism is not true. (7) Therefore, Hedonism is not true.