Penny Dreadful Digital Book Club discussion

In "The Picture of Dorian Gray," Lord Henry sells Dorian on a life of hedonism: where one lives solely to satisfy themselves. Inspired by the "yellow book" that Lord Henry gifts him, Dorian sets out to pursue a life of pure pleasure, which gradually leads him down a path of corruption and sin. In the end, a life of hedonism has tragic consequences for Dorian.

Can seeking a life of pleasure (above all else) be a good philosophy for life or will it always lead to evil like in Dorian's case? Why do you think Lord Henry preaches this lifestyle when he never seems to act on it himself?

Pleasure by definition, does not have to mean only destructive and/or indulgent pleasure. It can, though rarely considered, to be altruistic pleasures ie. pleasure from serving to the betterment your fellow man. Of course, this is not really a consideration nor does it follow the point Wilde is attempting to make in his novel.