Philosophy 160
Introduction to Ethics

Handout 8 - Hedonism

Value Hedonism - "The value of a world (or outcome of an action) is equal to the amount of pleasure in the world (or outcome), minus the amount of pain."

Welfare Hedonism - "How good a life is for the one who lives it is equal to the amount of pleasure in the life, minus the amount of pain in the life."

The Deceived Businessman (Kagan, pp. 157-158):

1. If Welfare Hedonism is true, then the life of the deceived businessman went "about as well as a life could go."
2. But the life of deceived business did not go that well.
3. Therefore, Welfare Hedonism is not true.

The Matrix Argument (extracto exercise from class)

1. If Welfare Hedonism is true, then L2 is just as good as L1.
2. But L2 is not as good as L1.
3. Therefore, Welfare Hedonism is not true.