What Is Hedonism and Why Is It Killing Us?

From Bliss to Abyss, From Freedom to Tyranny

Hedonistic party people. Prompted by the author in Midjourney.

Let’s get right into it and look at what hedonism is defined as:

Hedonism is a philosophical theory or ethical stance that posits pleasure or happiness as the highest good and ultimate aim of human life. It advocates that actions can be considered morally right if they lead to pleasure and minimize pain, suggesting that the pursuit of pleasure is the primary or most important goal of human action.

Sounds familiar?

It’s western world “culture”.

When all basic needs are met people are free to pursue what makes them happy right? What’s bad about that? Well…

Facets of hedonism. Prompted by the author in Midjourney.

… it’s bad when it’s the sole purpose of existence and all your actions. In the pursuit of pleasure and happiness we become narcissistic, egoistic, shallow and ultimately… unhappy.

“Those only are happy who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness; on the happiness of others, on the improvement of mankind, even on some art or pursuit, followed not as a means, but as itself an ideal end. Aiming thus at something else, they find happiness by the way.”
— John Stuart Mill

The unhappier we become, the harder the pursuit.

A death spiral.

And of course our societies and economies are built upon these principles, creating a deadly feedback loop. Deeply instilled into us is the belief that, since we are working so hard and sacrificing hours of our life to our jobs and careers, we deserve compensation beyond the basics. We deserve to be happy, by (almost) any means necessary — and the fastest way to happiness is (of course) consumption, according to advertising.

Society has long become an echo chamber, enforcing the false belief that each and everyone of us is the main…