Which concept best describes an individual who believes in the pursuit of personal pleasure as the most important goal?

The concept that best describes an individual who believes in the pursuit of personal pleasure as the most important goal is hedonism. Hedonism posits that the ultimate aim of life is to seek pleasure and avoid pain, making personal enjoyment and gratification the highest priority. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of sensory experiences and emotional satisfaction, often prioritizing them over other values or responsibilities that may detract from personal pleasure.

Utilitarianism, while related to the pursuit of pleasure, focuses on the greatest good for the greatest number, which encompasses a broader social perspective rather than individual pleasure alone. Altruism centers around selflessness and prioritizing the well-being of others, fundamentally contrasting with the self-oriented nature of hedonism. Rationalism emphasizes reason as the primary source of knowledge and does not inherently pertain to the pursuit of pleasure as a key life goal. Thus, hedonism distinctly captures the idea of prioritizing personal pleasure above all else.