Hedonism can track its origins to the ancient Greek.

The term hedonism comes from the

that it is filled with pleasure and free of pain. Hedonism must be understood as the view that

enjoyment, rather than physical pleasure, is the key to a good life. In other words, a view about

what things are good for us. Hedonism is a form of utilitarianism whereby pleasure is the

standard by which we judge good and bad. Something is good if it results in more pleasure than

pain, and something is bad if it produces more pain than pleasure. The most serious problems

that hedonism faces comes from a thought experiment called the “Experience Machine.” This

thought experiment was developed by Harvard philosopher Robert Nozick which he uses to

refute the ethical philosophy of hedonism. Nozick successfully makes an argument against

hedonism by showing that pleasure is not all that matters for humans, by stating that people do,

in fact, want to explore everything life has to offer and by being in touch with reality.

The Experience Machine is a thought experiment put forward by philosopher Robert Nozick in

his work called “ Anarchy, State, and Utopia.” It is one of the best known attempts to refute

ethical hedonism, and does so by imagining a choice between everyday reality and an apparently

preferable simulated reality. If the primary thesis of hedonism is that "pleasure is the good", (The

Fundamentals of Ethics, Pg. 25), then any component of life that is not pleasurable. does nothing

directly to increase one's well-being. This is a view held by many value theorists, but most

famously by some classical utilitarians. Nozick attacks the thesis by means of a thought

experiment. If he can show that there is something other than pleasure that has value and thereby

increases our well-being, then hedonism is defeated. Nozick asks us to imagine a machine that

could give us whatever desirable or pleasurable experiences we could want. "Superduper

neuropsychologists" ( The Ethical Life, Pg. 22), have figured out a way to stimulate a person's

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brain to induce pleasurable experiences that the subject could not distinguish from those that

have apart from the machine. He then asks, “if given the choice, would we prefer the machine to

real life?” ( The Ethical Life, Pg. 22). Nozick also believes that if pleasure were the only intrinsic

value, people would have an overriding reason to be hooked up to an "Experience Machine,"

which would produce favorable sensations. With this said, Nozick makes his point on how

pleasure is not all that matters to human.

Moreover, Nozick argues that people would rather do certain things, instead of just simply

having the experience of doing it. Despite hedonists claiming that one will do anything to

achieve pleasure over pain, Nozick states that people do, in fact, want to explore everything life

has to offer, including the good and the bad. He does this by arguing that if pleasure were all that

mattered, then there would be no reason to not use the experience machine. In this case, Nozick

is completely right, because not only is actually doing something more self-fulfilling, but it also

allows us to adapt and grow into the people that we are. Some things we do have a much deeper

impact within us, in which a simple “experience” could not do for us. Nozick then goes to

explain how people want to be a certain way and not just have an experience of living as this

new being. Nozick’s example of the Experience Machine is meant to be a counter-example to

hedonism. For example, to undergo the process of passing an exam is a whole lot different than

just experiencing a passing grade. There are so many more emotions one encounters on this

journey that does indeed provide our lives with a greater sense of purpose. Therefore, individuals

want to do things, not just experience them. We as humans, we want to do things because we

want to experience of doing it or that personal satisfaction of thinking we have done them.

Furthermore, Nozick says that “plugging into an experience machine limits us to a man- made

reality to a world no deeper or more important than that which people can construct.”

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( The Ethical LIfe, Pg.22) . With this said, there is no contact with other humans and a deeper

connection to reality. People must first determine what is of most value to them because hooking

up to a machine will lead them nowhere in their lives or without desires. If “someone floating in

world, then, there is no determinant of character on a person. There is no way to tell if that

person is charismatic, humorous, kind or intelligent. But, according to Nozick and what the

Experience Machine came to the conclusion, is that the true desire would be to ourselves in

contact with reality. Despite being able to experience pleasure through a machine,

“experiencing” is not enough to satisfy one’s need to live a fulfilled life. In addition, Nozick says

“Perhaps what we desire is to live ourselves, in contact with reality” ( The Ethical Life, Pg. 23),

meaning that humans would rather prefer to live in a life where they are in tune with reality,

rather than be tricked by an illusion, which is what the Experience Machine would provide.

Nozick stresses that being in contact with reality is a huge factor in not wanting to use the

Experience Machine, mainly because living in touch with reality is a lot more purposeful, and

humans strive to seek the true purpose of life. Conclusively, the Experience Machine represents

the ideal application of hedonistic principles. Hedonism or “pleasure” is not the only motivation

we have that is responsible for a tank is an indeterminate blob...” ( The Ethical LIfe, Pg. 22), or

just floating in their own little world, then, there is no determinant of character on a person.

There is no way to tell if that person is charismatic, humorous, kind or intelligent. But, according

to Nozick and what the Experience Machine came to the conclusion, is that the true desire would

be to ourselves in contact with reality. Despite being able to experience pleasure through a

machine, “experiencing” is not enough to satisfy one’s need to live a fulfilled life. In addition,

Nozick says “Perhaps what we desire is to live ourselves, in contact with reality” ( The Ethical

Life, Pg. 23), meaning that humans would rather prefer to live in a life where they are in tune

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with reality, rather than be tricked by an illusion, which is what the Experience Machine would

provide. Nozick stresses that being in contact with reality is a huge factor in not wanting to use

the Experience Machine, mainly because living in touch with reality is a lot more purposeful,

and humans strive to seek the true purpose of life. Conclusively, the Experience Machine

represents the ideal application of hedonistic principles. Hedonism or “pleasure” is not the only

motivation we have that is responsible for most of our actions. Nozick explains what the things

that are of value and what is missing from the idea of hedonism. Showing that there are more

things that have intrinsic value besides happiness. As proved by the Experience Machine, Nozick

successfully makes an argument against hedonism by showing that pleasure is not all that matters

for humans, by stating that people do, in fact, want to explore everything life has to offer and by

being in touch with reality. If pleasure were all that mattered, as stated by hedonism, then there

would be no reason to not use the Experience Machine. However, since the majority of humans

would not use it, this leads to the conclusion that there is indeed more life than pleasure,

therefore, rejecting the concept of hedonism. As human beings we have other desires, emotions,

and goals that truly define who we are. It is these desires; that are not solely fueled by pleasure,

emotions we experience; that include, both the good and the bad, and goals we create for

ourselves that gives us the drive to live each day with a purpose. Strictly, pursuing pleasure over

pain is not a satisfying reason for humans to live, and does not provide a sufficient justification

to truly be the sole meaning of life.