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HEDONISM PHILOSOPHY
The study of the general fundamental question about the existence of logic, values, knowledge and language is referred to as philosophy. According to Greek, Philosophy is from the term ‘Philosophia,’ which means love for wisdom. It helps in understanding the matters concerning existence, values and knowledge, among other factors. Such kind of questions is used to solve issues which require a precise answer for everyone in society. Philosophy is used primarily to ensure there is a free application of the law to everyone. The philosophical theory used act as the guiding principle for behavior among the people in every society. In connection to that, this paper discusses the philosophy of Hedonism, how it started, how it is applied and its critiques.
Philosophy as science involves ethics which deals with the principles, morals, integrity, and equality, among other factors. Hedonism as philosophy is very valued and more so important for humanity. Hedonism thrives over fighting for the right of the people by maximizing pleasure over anything else. Hedonism is always against pain in humankind; it advocates for pleasure which is regarded as the best option in life. Hedonism is much associated with individualist in the sense that it encourages people to have their happiness in life without bothering others. People are encouraged to be more personal and do anything that brings peace to them. Ethical Hedonism is believed to have started by a student of Socrates, Aristippus of Cyrene. He stated that, for a human being to be complete, he needs more pleasure over everything else which can bring stress to their life. According to Aristippus of Cyrene, human life should always full of happiness and avoid pain as possible.
During the medieval age, there came a lot of Christian philosophers who advocated for the rebuke of the Hedonism. They argued that freedom over everything leads to the disobeying of God. According to those Christian scholars, Hedonism does not create room for Christian virtues like hope, charity and faith since people are after pleasing themselves. In a free society where people please themselves, there comes a division of halves and halve not over the scarce resources. Some section of Christians believed in Hedonism ethics by arguing that, God is happiness and whatever makes a man happy is Godly but not people themselves. The logic under these arguments from different scholars brings debate on the issues of Hedonism.
Critiques of the belief of Hedonism is that being happy is optional and everyone loves to be always happy. Critically arguing, in every society, there are different type of people with different cultures. Some culture may be amusing to some people hence bringing the conflict to people. The solution is to apply rules and regulations that should be adhered by everyone. Despite everyone doing what pleases him or her happy, the set rules are supposed to be followed to the latter. The law brings about the limitation on what people should do and where and at what time. It helps in creating peace of mind among the people as well as equal distribution of resources in the society (Van der Berg & Servaas, 2020). The needs of the less fortunate are catered for by applying rules that cuts across all dimensions.
In conclusion, Hedonism as philosophy advocates for a free world by allowing people to do what makes them happy. Apparently, in every society, there must be rules are regulation that should be adhered by everyone. The laid rules and regulations, therefore, limits the degree in the manner people are going to behave. The laws enacted act as the main factor that brings harmony between different classes of people in society.
Work cited
Van der Berg, Servaas. “Aesthetic hedonism and its critics.” Philosophy Compass 15.1 (2020): e12645.