Sensualism

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Sensualism \Sen"su*al*ism\, n. [Cf. F. sensualisme.]
     1. The condition or character of one who is sensual;
        subjection to sensual feelings and appetite; sensuality.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Philos.) The doctrine that all our ideas, or the


        operations of the understanding, not only originate in
        sensation, but are transformed sensations, copies or
        relics of sensations; sensationalism; sensism.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Ethics) The regarding of the gratification of the senses
        as the highest good. --Krauth-Fleming.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  sensualism
       n 1: desire for sensual pleasures [syn: {sensuality}, {sensualness}]
       2: (philosophy) the ethical doctrine that feeling is the only
          criterion for what is good [syn: {sensationalism}]