I came across naturism and hedonism through a conversation with friends about why I am a naturist. And one of my answers was because I was feeling good naked, actually feeling even better than clothed. So the discussion went over the fact that actually naturism was a form of hedonism. Let’s go over both words, as the definition in Wikipedia:
Naturism, “or nudism, is a cultural and political movement practicing, advocating and defending social nudity, most but not all of which takes place on private property. The term may also refer to a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism.”
Hedonism “is a school of thought that argues that pleasure is the primary or most important intrinsic good. A hedonist strives to maximize net pleasure.”
Actually, when we go a little bit deeper into the article on naturism, we find the following: “At one end of the spectrum are the nudists who just enjoy a nude life style, and at the other are the naturists, who have deeply held beliefs and see communal nudity as just one of many important principles.” And this I think provides partially the answer to our question.
Some naturists are purely hedonists, just being naked for the pleasure it provides (non sexual nudity). Some naturists are social and political nudist, being naked for what it represents as a philosophy. This is why you have luxury naturists resorts, and some more rustic. That you have people wearing jewelry or tattoos, and others seeing them as opposite to the philosophy of naturism.
Actually, many naturists, but may be not all, follow the accepted definition of the International Naturist Federation: “Naturism is a way of life in harmony with nature characterised by the practice of communal nudity with the intention of encouraging self-respect, respect for others and for the environment”. Whether you are hedonist and are seeking to maximize your pleasure or are a nature lover and are seeking to get closer to nature by being naked, you are a naturist. Self-respect and respect are, at least for me, the most important aspects of naturism.
By tagging naturists with labels like hedonism, we limit the power of naturism. Diversity is a gift of nature, the more naturists, the better. So naturists may be hedonists, but not all are. However, pleasure is an element of happiness, so if being naked makes you happy, so be it!
Get Naked, Stay Naked, Live Naked and Share the Naked Love!
Photo by Skitterphoto from Pexels
Hedonism has extra, sexual connotations as a result of the libertine life style associated with the “Hedonism” resorts which encompass a range of activities that would get one excluded from most naturist/nudist resorts.
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The proposed “definition” of hedonism is slanted in a negative way. It could just as well be said that hedonism is simply a preference for personal pleasure over other things that might be considered “good”. For instance, going to the beach instead of mowing the lawn or washing the dishes. A hedonist might still do those things less frequently or only when really necessary. (Or he might pay someone else to do them instead of himself.) This diminishes the negative connotation of the stricter definition – which is perhaps more of a straw man. Thus there’s nothing wrong about preferring naked activities over more utilitarian ones. And so naturists shouldn’t be ashamed to admit to enjoying especially the pleasurable aspects of nudity. (Assuming that this inclination doesn’t affect others in a negative way.)
thank you for this long and insightful comment. I fully agree.