Webster's Dictionary defines hedonism as "the ethical doctrine according to which pleasure, variously conceived in terms of the happiness of the individual or of society, is the principal good and proper aim of 'action' or 'the theory that a person always acts in a way that seeks pleasure and avoids pain. » With this definition in mind and after a closer look at John Stuart Mill's theory of hedonism, I will assert that hedonism is not an exclusive or distinct way of thinking. In fact, I think that with the exception of maybe a few people, most people are very prone to hedonism. “Hedonistic utilitarians identify happiness with experiencing pleasure and avoiding pain, meaning that the more an individual enjoys pleasure and avoids pain, the happier he or she is” (Phil. tamu.edu). But is this really a new and profound thought? If you avoid pain, will you lead a happier life? With a few exceptions, I don't know many people who view pain as pleasure. Most people I know make it a point to have fun in one way or another, and that doesn't include enjoying pain. This does not mean the right to think and act as you please (Castell 360). Although Mill encouraged independent thought and action, he did not justify running around and doing whatever you wanted. According to the Hedonic Society, this is what they call enlightened hedonism (“a naturalistic and humanistic life position that advocates enlightened hedonism”). ration culture of pleasure and happiness for all") can be a state...... middle of paper ...... if you have a relatively balanced life, you would include both the physical and intellectual aspects of your life. Whether or not you are labeled A “hedonist” remains to be seen. If you incorporate the greater needs of others into your immediate individual needs, then technically, yes, that would be hedonism. you would be called a “nice person.” CitéCastell, Alburey et al., Introduction to Modern Philosophy: An Examination of the Human Condition (NewJersey: Prentice Hall, 2001). stanford.edu/~quixote/philosophies.htm#hedonism* (03/12/2001)."John Stuart Mill." unknown (online) *www-/phil.tamu.edu/~gary/intro/lecture. mill_1.html.(03/12/2001)."What is enlightened hedonism?" (online) *www.hedonicsociety.org/custom/html*.(12/03/2001)