
Pleasure and the Good Life: Concerning the Nature, Varieties, and Plausibility of Hedonism
by Fred Feldman
Pleasure and the Good Life: Concerning the Nature, Varieties, and Plausibility of Hedonism
by Fred Feldman
Since ancient times, hedonism has been one of the most attractive and controversial theories about 'the Good Life'. On this view, the Good Life is the pleasant life - pleasure is the Good. Now Fred Feldman presents a careful, modern formulation of hedonism, defending the theory against some of the most important objections. Distinguishing some diverse variants of the theory, and assessing their merits, Feldman explains why each deserves to be classified as a form of hedonism. His book offers inspiring vindication for anyone who hopes that it is possible to enjoy oneself and be good at the same time. -;Fred Feldman's fascinating new book sets out to defend hedonism as a theory about the Good Life. He tries to show that, when carefully and charitably interpreted, certain forms of hedonism yield plausible evaluations of human lives. Feldman begins by explaining what we mean when we ask what the Good Life is. He argues that this should not be taken to be a question about the morally good life or about the beneficial life. Rather, the question concerns the general features of the life that is good in itself for the one who lives it. Hedonism says (roughly) that the Good Life is the pleasant life. After showing that the usual formulations of hedonism are often confused or incoherent, Feldman presents a simple, clear, coherent form of sensory hedonism that provides a starting point for discussion. He then considers a webalogue of classic objections to hedonism, coming from sources as diverse as Plato, Aristotle, Brentano, Ross, Moore, Rawls, Kagan, Nozick, Brandt, and others.
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