What philosophy holds that people tend to seek pleasure and avoid pain?

The philosophy that states people tend to seek pleasure and avoid pain is hedonism. Hedonism primarily focuses on the pursuit of pleasure as the highest good and the ultimate aim of human life. It posits that actions can be considered morally right if they increase pleasure or happiness and reduce pain. This philosophy has roots in ancient Greek thought, notably articulated by figures like Epicurus, who distinguished between different types of pleasures and emphasized the idea that true happiness comes from moderation and the absence of pain.

Utilitarianism, although concerned with pleasure and pain, encompasses a broader framework that evaluates actions based on their consequences for the greater good, not just individual pleasure. Empiricism and rationalism deal more with theories of knowledge and perception rather than the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain.