The Most Famous Hedonist Philosopher, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the philosopher you think is the most famous!
Updated on Apr 21, 2024 08:11
Throughout history, the teachings of Hedonist philosophers have shaped countless minds with their advocacy for pleasure as the primary or most important intrinsic good. By ranking these thinkers, we can gain insights into how their ideas about pleasure and pain continue to influence modern thought and lifestyle choices.
Engaging with this ranked list not only enlightens us about various philosophical perspectives on joy and well-being but also allows us to see which ideas resonate most in contemporary times. Your votes help highlight the enduring appeal and relevance of these philosophical tenets, making each ranking update a reflection of collective value assessments in our current society.
Who Is the Most Famous Hedonist Philosopher?
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169votesHe is considered the father of Hedonism and founded the Garden School in Athens. He believed that pleasure and happiness are the ultimate goals of human life.
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225votes
Henry William Pickersgill (died 1875) · Public domainHe was a British philosopher and social reformer who believed that the goal of society should be to maximize happiness and minimize pain. He developed the concept of utilitarianism, which emphasizes the importance of pleasure and pain in ethical decision-making.Jeremy Bentham in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Jeremy
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310votes
London Stereoscopic Company · Public domainHe was another British philosopher who followed Bentham's utilitarianism but believed that higher pleasures, such as intellectual and spiritual pleasures, are more valuable than lower pleasures, such as physical pleasures.John Stuart Mill in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous philosopher of all time
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424votesHe was a student of Socrates and founded the Cyrenaic school of philosophy, which emphasized the pursuit of pleasure and avoided pain. He believed that pleasure is the only intrinsic good and that it should be sought after in all aspects of life.
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59votesHe is a contemporary French philosopher who advocates for Hedonism as a way of life. He believes that pleasure is the ultimate goal of human life and that we should reject traditional morality and embrace our desires.
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69votesHe was a Greek philosopher who believed that pleasure is the highest good and that happiness can only be achieved by avoiding pain and seeking pleasure. He believed that the pursuit of pleasure should be guided by reason and that excess can lead to pain.
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79votesThe Cyrenaics were a school of Hedonist philosophy founded by Aristippus. They believed that pleasure is the only intrinsic good and that it should be pursued in all aspects of life. They also believed in the importance of living in the present moment and enjoying life to the fullest.
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811votesHe was a British philosopher who believed that the goal of society should be to maximize happiness and minimize pain. He developed the concept of Social Darwinism, which applied evolutionary principles to human society.
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910votes
Friedrich Hermann Hartmann · Public domainFriedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich NietzscheHe was a German philosopher who rejected traditional morality and believed that we should embrace our desires and passions. He believed that pleasure and happiness are the ultimate goals of human life and that we should reject the idea of self-sacrifice for the common good.Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher and cultural critic who is considered one of the most challenging philosophers to read. His works are characterized by their complex and often contradictory ideas, aphoristic writing style, and extensive use of metaphor and rhetoric. Nietzsche scrutinized various philosophical, moral, and cultural assumptions prevalent in Western society, questioning traditional values and advocating for a reevaluation of morality, religion, and human existence. His philosophy has had a profound influence on various disciplines including philosophy, literature, psychology, and anthropology.- Aphoristic Writing Style: Nietzsche's works are often composed in short, concise statements or aphorisms that require careful interpretation.
- Idea of Eternal Recurrence: Nietzsche proposed the concept of eternal recurrence, suggesting that all events in the universe would recur infinitely.
- Will to Power: Nietzsche theorized that the driving force behind all human actions is the will to power, asserting that power is the fundamental determinant of human behavior.
- Death of God: Nietzsche famously proclaimed the death of God, signaling the decline of traditional religious beliefs and the need for new values and meaning.
- Master-Slave Morality: Nietzsche critiqued traditional moral systems, arguing that they are rooted in a slave mentality that suppresses individual potential and creativity.
Friedrich Nietzsche in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous misanthrope
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Existentialist
- Position 3 of 10 in Most difficult philosopher to read
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous INTJ
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous philosopher of all time
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous INTP
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1010votes
Ana Paula Marin · CC BY 1.0He is a contemporary British philosopher who advocates for the use of technology to eliminate suffering and maximize pleasure. He believes that Hedonism can be achieved through the use of biotechnology and that we have a moral obligation to eliminate suffering.
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About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous Hedonist philosopher. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or philosopher is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
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- 183 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each philosopher once every 24 hours. The rank of each philosopher is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous hedonist philosopher
Background Information: Hedonism is a philosophical school of thought that emphasizes pleasure and happiness as the ultimate goals of human life. Hedonist philosophers believe that pleasure is the only intrinsic good and pain is the only intrinsic bad. They argue that pleasure should be pursued and pain should be avoided.
One of the most famous Hedonist philosophers is Epicurus. He believed that the key to a happy life was to live modestly, seek pleasure in simple things, and avoid pain. Epicurus believed that happiness could be achieved by living a life of tranquility and peace, free from stress and anxiety.
Another famous Hedonist philosopher is Jeremy Bentham. He believed in the principle of utilitarianism, which holds that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness. Bentham argued that pleasure and pain should be measured in terms of intensity, duration, certainty, and extent. He believed that pleasure should be pursued, but only if it does not harm others.
Overall, Hedonism has played an important role in shaping philosophical thought and has inspired many thinkers to explore the nature of pleasure and happiness. Through their writings and teachings, Hedonist philosophers have contributed to our understanding of what it means to live a good life.
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