As a philosophy, hedonism has long had problems. Realizing that an unbridled pursuit of pleasure may bring as a consequence an abundance of undesired pain (for example, a pounding headache may follow overindulgence in the pleasures of alcohol), the ancient Epicureans sought to achieve a moderated and balanced quest for pleasure. There is a paradox in hedonism, because if we fail to achieve the pleasure we seek, we are frustrated, and if we gain the pleasure we seek, we tend to be bored. Thus, the pursuit of pleasure may be doomed to either frustration or boredom.
