(ἡδονή/hēdonḗ, Lat. voluptas).
A. Definition and background
The Greek idea of pleasure as the aim and defining motive in conducting one's life appears comparatively early in Greek didactic literature, with both positive and negative assessments (e.g. Hes. Op. 287-92; Theognis 983-985; Simonides fr. 71; 79; particularly impressive in Prodicus' parable of the choice of Heracles between the easy path of physical pleasure and the arduous path of …