Lecture 2

Hedonism

• Definition: Hedonism advocates the maximization of pleasure as the ultimate goal of human life. It can be understood as seeking subjective good feelings, encompassing both sensual and emotional pleasures.

• Key Philosophers:

  • Aristippus of Cyrene:

  • Established the Cyrenaic school emphasizing pleasure as the principal goal of life.

  • Believed pleasure was a moderate emotion while pain was a rough one.

  • Argued that pleasures can be transient and varied, suggesting happiness is a composite of these pleasures.

  • Epicurus:

  • Founded Epicureanism, emphasizing the importance of simpler, easily attainable pleasures.

  • Proposed that a life of tranquility (ataraxia) and absence of pain (aponia) should be the goal.

Utility Revisited

• Definition of Utility: Utility represents individual preferences, indicating what people want or value, such as preferring a car over a goat signifies greater utility of the car.

• Utility Calculus:

  • This framework allows for the calculation of expected utility based on probabilities of different outcomes. Rational decision-making is predicated on maximizing utility.

• Normative vs Descriptive:

  • Descriptive: Explains what individuals actually prefer.

  • Normative: Refers to what individuals should desire, which is not addressed by utility theory.

Maximizing Utility

• Rational decision-makers should aim for choices that maximize expected utility based on personal preferences.

• Utility theory does not dictate what individuals ought to want, meaning there is no universally objective utility function.

Philosophical Reflections on the Good Life

• Key Question: What should we want?

• Possible answers include ethical imperatives, personal desires, or inherent values of certain objectives.

Cyrenaic Hedonism (Aristippus)

• Pleasure as Chief Good:

  • He believed everyone is innately drawn to pleasure and avoids pain. They made a distinction between a specific pleasurable action and overall happiness, defining the latter as a collection of specific pleasures over time.

• Lifestyle: Aristippus engaged in a life full of sensual pleasures, adapting to circumstances and focusing on immediate enjoyment.

Charvaka Philosophy

• Overview: An ancient Indian materialistic philosophy denying supernatural concepts. It insisted on empirical knowledge sourced from sensory experience and enjoyment of physical pleasures.

• Key tenets:

  • Pleasure is the sole end of human life; the pursuit of pleasures, despite accompanying pains, should be prioritized.

  • Critique of asceticism, emphasizing that it undermines immediate physical enjoyment.

Epicureanism (Epicurus)

• Philosophical Teachings:

  • Advocated for a balanced life prioritizing mental tranquility and minimalistic pleasures (The Four-part Cure).

  • Differentiated between necessary and unnecessary desires and promoted simplicity for happiness.

• Literary Contributions:

  • Epicurus's writings, despite many being lost, emphasize reasoned pleasures over excesses, advocating for thoughtful living as the path to a joyful life.

• Reflection on Preferences: Epicurus encouraged the adjustment of expectations and preferences towards simplicity for achieving a more satisfying life

Revisiting the Central Questions

• What should we want?

  • Aristippus: Sensual pleasure.

  • Charvaka: Singular focus on pleasure.

  • Epicurus: Tranquility derived from simple pleasures and avoidance of anxiety.

• Why should we want this?

  • Aristippus and Charvaka argue from existential and material realities while Epicurus presents a philosophical rationale for long-term satisfaction and resilience.

Primary Texts and Sources

• The only primary text discussed is Epicurus’s letter to Menoeceus, with the works of Aristippus largely lost due to historical disdain from other philosophical schools.