Axiological hedonism, which is sometimes treated as a part of ethical hedonism, is the thesis that only pleasure has intrinsic value. Normative or ethical hedonism, on the other hand, is not about how we actually act but how we ought to act: we should pursue pleasure and avoid pain. Psychological or motivational hedonism claims that our behavior is determined by desires to increase pleasure and to decrease pain. Hedonism refers to a family of theories, all of which have in common that pleasure plays a central role in them. It refers to experience that feels good, that involves the enjoyment of something.

Pleasure plays a central role in all forms of hedonism. Triumph of Bacchus, oil on canvas by Ciro Ferri, 17th century.