The Hedonism of Eudoxus of Cnidus

Eudoxus of Cnidus was a philosopher who identified the good as pleasure (hedonism). Plato and Aristotle both influenced him, with Aristotle providing the materials for reconstructing his arguments. These arguments foreshadowed everything in the Western tradition that favors the positive value of pleasure and point toward a hedonism that values the cultivation of activities like mathematics and astronomy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 74 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Eudoxus of Cnidus, a renowned mathematician and astronomer, lived in the same era as Plato and Aristotle, exerting influence on both philosophers during his time in Athens. His ethical doctrine, known as hedonism, identified pleasure as the ultimate good. While Plato seemed uncertain about this proposal, Aristotle provided the framework for reconstructing Eudoxus' arguments in defense of hedonism. Taken together, these arguments laid the foundation for much of the Western tradition that advocated for the positive value of pleasure. They also hinted at a form of hedonism that valued activities such as mathematics and astronomy, which were Eudoxus' areas of expertise.

Eudoxus' influence extended beyond his ethical philosophy. He was a skilled mathematician who made significant contributions to the field, particularly in geometry and arithmetic. His work on the theory of proportion, known as the Eudoxus theorem, is still studied today. In astronomy, he developed a mathematical model to explain the movements of the planets and the stars.

Despite his achievements, Eudoxus' work was not without its critics. Some philosophers, such as Plato, questioned the validity of his ethical doctrine and the extent to which pleasure should be pursued. However, Aristotle recognized the intellectual merit of Eudoxus' arguments and provided a robust defense of hedonism.

In conclusion, Eudoxus of Cnidus was a brilliant mathematician and astronomer who left a lasting impact on the philosophical and scientific traditions of his time. His ethical doctrine, hedonism, advocated for the pursuit of pleasure as the ultimate good, and his contributions to mathematics and astronomy were groundbreaking. While his work was not without its critics, Aristotle's defense of hedonism helped to establish it as a significant philosophical movement in Western thought.

ISBN-13: 9781009321518