Asceticism refers to a lifestyle that avoids all forms of physical pleasure, generally for religious reasons.
| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Arguments in favor of | Arguments opposing |
| It is a life style that avoids all forms of physical pleasure. | |
| Asceticism helps to divert away one's focus from physical pleasures. | Asceticism is physically inconvenient and unpleasant. |
| It is generally to achieve religious goals. | |
| Asceticism may help to achieve a higher level of religious or spiritual experience. | Asceticism associated with a religious practice may reduce its appeal to its followers. |