Of Atheism and Hedonism.

[azraphael]

I find myself wondering whether there is a link between Atheism and Hedonism. I'm most certainly not implying that one needs to be an Atheist to be a Hedonist; certainly there are numerous religions that incorporate hedonism as one of their corner-stones. What I am wondering is whether a pure Atheist must necessarily embrace Hedonism

Comments

[iarwain]

I define an Atheist as someone who only believes in a phenomenon when presented with compelling evidence.Well, we'd all be atheists then if you use a loose enough definition of "compelling evidence". Many take the Bible as such even

[azraphael]

I am a polytheist because I am a scientist. An interesting statement!

Polytheist - The belief in, or worship of multiple deities.
Scientist - One who uses the scientific method based on gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning.

I find an aparent paradox in your assertion, for I don't believe there is any observable, empirical, and measurable evidence for the existence of multiple deities.

[azraphael]

I would argue that the actions of a pure atheist are by necessity *based* upon hedonism.

I was attempting to infer a statistical connection, not a mandatory association. I'm not certain that every atheist will necessarily turn to one of the many forms of Hedonism. That in its own right is an interesting hypothesis and would probably be based on a feeling of "need of purpose".

If one needs a purpose, one can either look to oneself (Hedonism), or look to a higher power (Religion). I believe that helping others is an exaggerated Empathic Hedonism - to bring pleasure to ones self purely from helping others.

[azraphael]

You're right. Even though I was looking for a statistical bias, I specifically asked "What I am wondering is whether a pure Atheist must necessarily embrace Hedonism.".

I guess I should read what I write!

[dominatrixcat]

what is hedonism, and the beliefs or lack of beliefs that follow it?

[azraphael]

Hedonism is defined as a philosophy where pleasure is the most important pursuit of mankind.

In my interpretation Hedonism is intimately bound with Empathy, such that one can achieve the ideals of Hedonism through a combination of both giving pleasure to oneself, and through giving pleasure to others and basking in their pleasure felt through Empathy.

It stands to reason therefore that a Hedonist with Empathy will not indulge in purely self-pleasuring activity to the detriment of others because empathy will cause them to feel in some degree the detrimental effects they are having.

[iarwain]

It stands to reason therefore that a Hedonist with Empathy will not indulge in purely self-pleasuring activity to the detriment of others because empathy will cause them to feel in some degree the detrimental effects they are having.

Pleasure, like a good meal, is best when shared.

[dominatrixcat]

"What I am wondering is whether a pure Atheist must necessarily embrace Hedonism"

i dont think so, someone could be doing the right thing not because they love someone, or out of the fear of god, or out of getting pleasure from helping, but because they feel the moral obligation of doing what is right, another thing that can drive a person is guilt, so to avoid feeling guilty they could do the right thing, but take no pleasure in it,
(i am not sure if that came out right, my thoughts are kind of scattered)

[azraphael]

Ah, but now we get in to the concept of 'moral obligation'. If you broke what you consider a 'moral oblication', then would you not feel sad or guilty?

So if an action (or lack of action) makes one feel sad or guilty, then as a Hedonist puts their effort into making themselves feel happy and guilt-free, they would do "what is right" merely to avoid those feelings.

[iarwain]

There is also the idea of payment... As a hedonist, I'll put up with being sad, perhaps angry, or bored at my job, in order to make money. That money can then be used to spread joy, whether it is putting a roof over my head and food in my stomach or something much more. (Of course, a smart hedonist would try to get a pleasurable job, but we aren't always successful there.)