Hedonism denotes that there is nothing more important than the individual’s pleasure and avoidance of pain. It is totally self-centered, and if this temporal life is all there is, then it makes perfect sense. Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you may die. What a depressing philosophy of life.
Hedonism denotes that there is nothing more important than the individual’s pleasure and avoidance of pain. It is totally self-centered, and if this temporal life is all there is, then it makes perfect sense. Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you may die. What a depressing philosophy of life.
Then it is not true that atheism must always and everywhere result in hedonism. While a knowledge that there is no life after death most certainly predisposes a person to trying to make the most out of every day, every moment, it just as certainly does not preclude altruism, compassion, and a desire to help one's fellows. If anything, I would say those last three qualities are enhanced in the atheist who wishes others to share in the joy of mindfulness.