Hedonism and Utilitarianism

[gotyourpants]

What would a hedonistic society be like? Would it be anarchy, (using the word the way capitalists do, as a slur of sorts) or would it be ideal? How would it be implemented? Would it be utilitarian? How would a utilitarian government function. The most obvious response is democracy, but that means minorities get seriously shafted. Is it worth it?

[Old Man Diogenes]

What would a hedonistic society be like? Would it be anarchy, (using the word the way capitalists do, as a slur of sorts) or would it be ideal? How would it be implemented? Would it be utilitarian? How would a utilitarian government function. The most obvious response is democracy, but that means minorities get seriously shafted. Is it worth it?

One, shouldn't this be in Philosophy and two, democracy does not necessarily mean minorities get 'shafted'.

[ContrarianLemming]

Democracy has nothing to do with majoritarianism in a free society.

And A utilitarian government would funtion be deciding what decisions would make the most people happy, what actions would give the most people utility, so any communist society would be utilitarian.

Any "hedonism" wuold have to be ideal.

[gotyourpants]

Let's go ahead and pretend we're using a flawless system of direct democracy, without any fancy complications, and that when we speak of communism, it is the ideal, not how it has been imperfectly implemented in the past.

Communism would mean that we provide for everyone and try to make everyone equally happy. In a democracy, we could feasibly acquire a higher net pleasure, but it means that some people would incredibly happy, and the people who didn't get their way would end up miserable. Tyranny of the Majority, I think it's called.

These questions are philosophical in nature, but relate directly to politics. I posted it here, because this is my first post, and I didn't want to get flamed by jumping into something that was over my head, on a more serious board. I figured my noobishness would be more socially acceptable here. I apologize if I categorized incorrectly, in my attempt at modesty.

[Ocean Seal]

What would a hedonistic society be like? Would it be anarchy, (using the word the way capitalists do, as a slur of sorts) or would it be ideal? How would it be implemented? Would it be utilitarian? How would a utilitarian government function. The most obvious response is democracy, but that means minorities get seriously shafted. Is it worth it?
A hedonistic society would necessarily be hierarchical as if we preach no morals then we are practically asking people to look out for themselves and place their needs before communal ones. It would probably be dictatorial and function somewhat like the Roman Empire.

[gotyourpants]

A hedonistic society would necessarily be hierarchical as if we preach no morals then we are practically asking people to look out for themselves and place their needs before communal ones. It would probably be dictatorial and function somewhat like the Roman Empire.
I'm not so sure. It's common knowledge that the happiest life is not one of solitude, so by extension we can assume that in order to please yourself, you must also look out for those around you. It sounds like it might be more of an ancient Greek kind of set up, rather than Roman.

[ContrarianLemming]

I'm not so sure. It's common knowledge that the happiest life is not one of solitude, so by extension we can assume that in order to please yourself, you must also look out for those around you. It sounds like it might be more of an ancient Greek kind of set up, rather than Roman.

we're all dealing with different definitions of hedonism. It doesn't mean lack of morals, that's for sure. It's a life devoted to pleasure, and if we are all the live a life like that, then communism is necessary

[gotyourpants]

To be a Hedonist, (like myself) is to abandon the traditional sense of morality. It is simply the belief that the only moral good is (personal) pleasure.

[Ocean Seal]

I'm not so sure. It's common knowledge that the happiest life is not one of solitude, so by extension we can assume that in order to please yourself, you must also look out for those around you. It sounds like it might be more of an ancient Greek kind of set up, rather than Roman.

we're all dealing with different definitions of hedonism. It doesn't mean lack of morals, that's for sure. It's a life devoted to pleasure, and if we are all the live a life like that, then communism is necessary


Its true that the happiest life involves others, but pleasure doesn't equate to happiness. And in a society where pleasure is our immediate desire then we are certainly looking out for ourselves before others. What I personally believe is wrong with hedonism is that we set it as our motivation and that it can be perverted very easily. The best example is the American dream. I feel as if that is driven by hedonism. Don't worry about being oppressed, because one day you may be the oppressor and thus you'll experience the greatest amount of pleasure. Which is why I disagree that communism would be necessary for a hedonistic society.

[gotyourpants]

You're thinking like a Cyrenaic. For most Hedonists, pleasure does equate to happiness, and in reality we seek happiness, not just immediate gratification.

[ContrarianLemming]

To be a Hedonist, (like myself) is to abandon the traditional sense of morality. It is simply the belief that the only moral good is (personal) pleasure.

That would be egoism

[Rjevan]

shouldn't this be in Philosophy
Agreed and moved.