Hedonism
Hedonism, the school of thought, pleasure is the only intrinsic good. The term justifys the evaluation, the balance of how much pleasure and how little pain is produced. A hedonist strives to maximize net pleasure, minus the pain.
The Cyrenaics taught pleasure is the only intrinsic good, not just the absence of pain, but positively enjoyable sensations. Momentary physical pleasures are stronger than anticipatory or those of memory. Recognizing social obligation, the Cyrenaics believed pleasure could be gained by altruism.
Epicureans believed the greatest good, seek modest pleasure in a state of tranquility and freedom from fear. Through the limitation of desire, free of pain through knowledge of the workings of the world. The combination of these two, happiness in its highest form.
Epicureans believed friendship and living a virtuous life constituted happiness, even bordering asceticism, abstention from bodily desire, sex and appetites, as well.
Epicureans urge the pursuit of our own pleasure, but never suggest we live selfish lives, in any way, keeping others from their pursuit.
Democritus, an early hedonist, claimed contentment or cheerfulness, the supreme goal in life, joy and sorrow, marks of a beneficial and harmful value.
Jeremy Bentham believed the value of pleasure is its intensity multiplied by its duration. Not just the number of pleasures, but their intensity and how long they lasted considered.
John Stuart Mill suggests different levels of pleasure, higher quality pleasure better than lower quality pleasure. The more elaborate beings tend to spend more thought on elite matters, less time for simple pleasure.
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