Comparing

Two Varieties of Hedonism: Aristippus and Epicurus

As a family of moral theories, Hedonism focuses on pain and pleasure as what particularly
and principally matters in moral decision-making and practical reasoning. Pleasure is
understood as the primary good and the goal of life, pain as the primary evil, what human
beings out to avoid, prevent, and minimize. But not all hedonists are the same.

Aristippus (founder of the Cyrenaic school) and Epicurus (founder of the Epicurean
school) develop two quite different perspectives in Hedonist moral theory:


Aristippus
Epicurus
(Cyrenaic school)
Physical pleasures and pains are
more intense than mental
pleasures and pains

There are only pleasures and

pains, no middle state. Pleasure
is a calm, smooth state, pain is a
troubled, rough motion

Happiness is a sort of sum total
of particular pleasures, but it can
only be experienced in the
present, so the happy life is one
which has as many pleasures
and possible both in the present
and in the future

Since pleasures are simply good,
it doesnt matter whether they
are unseemly or socially
disapproved of simply enjoy
them!

(Epicurean school)
Mental pleasures and pains are
Intensity of
pleasures and more intense than physical
pleasures and pains
pains


What is between There is a middle, calm state
pleasure and between pleasures and pains,
both. Removal of pain, rest, is a
pain?
more intense pleasurable state

What human
happiness is

Happiness is a state of being

untroubled by mental or physical
pains. Best realized in living
simply, with few physical
pleasures, but spending time with
friends in pleasurable mental
activities, e.g. conversations

Restrictions on One should avoid pleasures that

require pains or bring pains as
kinds of
consequences, restrict oneself to
pleasure

pleasures that are natural and

necessary

Life devoted to pursuing physical Characteristic Life devoted to pursuing mental
pleasures and avoiding physical
pleasures, removing mental and
lifestyle of
pains as much as possible
physical pains
theory



Prudence is good leads to
Virtues and their A good life requires that one live
pleasures away from pains
with and therefore cultivate
Uses
Wisdom may be useful
Prudence, Justice, Wisdom
Friendship is desired for sake of
Friendship is desirable, and also
pleasures that result from it
provides security from pains

Copyright 2013 Gregory B. Sadler, ReasonIO

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