Hedonism is the belief that gaining pleasure is the most important thing in life.
[formal]
Synonyms: pleasure-seeking, gratification, sensuality, self-indulgence More Synonyms of hedonism
hedonism in British English
(ˈhiːdəˌnɪzəm, ˈhɛd-)
noun
1. ethics
a.
the doctrine that moral value can be defined in terms of pleasure
utilitarianism
b.
the doctrine that the pursuit of pleasure is the highest good
2.
the pursuit of pleasure as a matter of principle
3.
indulgence in sensual pleasures
Derived forms
hedonic (heˈdonic) or hedonistic (ˌhedoˈnistic)
adjective
hedonist (ˈhedonist)
noun
Word origin
C19: from Greek hēdonē pleasure
hedonism in American English
(ˈhidənˌɪzəm)
noun
1. Philosophy
the ethical doctrine that pleasure, variously conceived of in terms of happiness of the individual or of society, is the principal good and the proper aim of action
2. Psychology
the theory that a person always acts in such a way as to seek pleasure and avoid pain
3.
the self-indulgent pursuit of pleasure as a way of life