The Hedonist's Dilemma

Abstract In this paper, I argue that hedonism about well-being faces a powerful dilemma. However, as I shall try to show here, this choice creates a dilemma for hedonism. On a subjective interpretation, hedonism is open to the familiar objection that pleasure is not the only thing desired or the onl...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Dorsey, Dale (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill 2011
In: Journal of moral philosophy
Year: 2011, Volume: 8, Issue: 2, Pages: 173-196
Further subjects:B WELFARE
B Well-being
B HEDONISM
B OBJECTIVISM
B Subjectivism
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Summary:Abstract In this paper, I argue that hedonism about well-being faces a powerful dilemma. However, as I shall try to show here, this choice creates a dilemma for hedonism. On a subjective interpretation, hedonism is open to the familiar objection that pleasure is not the only thing desired or the only thing for which we possess a pro-attitude. On an objective interpretation, hedonism lacks an independent rationale. In this paper, I do not claim that hedonism fails once and for all. However, this dilemma illustrates a serious problem for hedonism, the solution to which is not immediately obvious, and which must be addressed if hedonism is to be considered a serious competitor for the true theory of well-being.
ISSN:1745-5243
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of moral philosophy
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/174552411X563240