Hedonism

Question 1

What is intrinsic value?

Answer 1

value something has, independent of any good effects it has

Question 1

What is instrumental value?

Answer 1

value something has because of the good things it brings about

Question 2

What is the isolation test?

Answer 2

is it still a good thing when its consequences are removed?

Question 3

What is prudential value?

Answer 3

something that contributes positively to a person’s wellbeing

Question 4

What is the core belief of hedonism?

Answer 4

*happiness, pleasure and the absence of pain are the most important things in life
* happiness is the only thing that is necessary and sufficient for a good life

Question 5

How is happiness defined by hedonism?

Answer 5

the net balance of pleasures and pains

Question 6

In hedonism, what has intrinsic prudential value and what has instrumental prudential value?

Answer 6

*only happiness is instrumentally prudentially valuable
*other things can still be instrumentally valuable in that they can achieve happiness for you

Question 7

What are some advantages of hedonism?

Answer 7

• what brings people happiness differs between individuals, and hedonism provides an explanation for this
• almost all lives are better without pain and illness
• almost all lives are made better with more friendship, interesting hobbies and a loving family
• hedonism explains these general truths

Question 8

What is the paradox of hedonism?

A disadvantage of hedonism

Answer 8

• if only happiness is intrinsically valuable, then it is rational to single-mindedly pursue it
• but this isn’t rational, as constantly actively pursuing happiness tends to lead to unhappiness
  obsession with happiness obstructs us from finding it

Question 9

What is the moral disadvantage of hedonism?

Answer 9

• hedonism doesn’t differentiate between happiness gained from evil deeds and happiness from good deeds
• it considers both of these kinds of happiness as equally good and necessary for you, ignoring their origins

Question 10

How is the Experience Machine a disadvantage of hedonism?

Answer 10

• imagine a machine that erases your memory upon entrance and simulates an incredibly happy made for you individually
• most people wouldn’t choose simulated, false happiness over reality because they would consider it a worse life
• therefore, hedonism cannot be true