hedonistic Utilitarianism

Hedonistic utilitarianism is an ethical theory that posits pleasure is the sole intrinsic good and pain is the sole intrinsic bad. This means that actions are considered morally right if they promote happiness or pleasure and wrong if they produce unhappiness or pain, not just for the individual but for everyone affected.12

Early forms, like that of the Cyrenaics, focused on maximizing pleasure in the present moment. In contrast, Epicureanism emphasized a life of enduring pleasure achieved through reason, self-control, and minimizing pain. Later, Jeremy Bentham integrated hedonism into utilitarianism, suggesting that individuals should aim for the greatest pleasure, and that this could be calculated. While critics questioned the focus on physical pleasure, most hedonists acknowledge a broader range of pleasures, including those from knowledge and relationships.12