Abstract: The subject of this research is the genesis of such ethical doctrine as hedonism; the object is the concept of “systemic hedonism” proposed by the contemporary Russian expert in the field of management I. V. Volochkov. By placing “systemic hedonism” into a broad historical context of ethical teachings – since the times of Ancient Greece (Cerenaics Aristippus and Hegesias) until modern American hedonists (David Pearce) – formulating the questions of achieving happiness through delight and pleasure, the author claims that “systemic hedonism” can be recognized as a variety of “spiritual hedonism”, similar in its ideological-value content to eudemonism of Aristotle and Epicurus. The author juxtaposes the ethical teaching of “systemic hedonism” with the cognate teachings, revealing the unique aspects of the first. The presented in the article concept of “systemic hedonism” is revealed as ethical doctrine aimed at subsequent and gradual development and self-improvement of a modern human. The main conclusion consists in the statement that in the context of growing tendencies of social development, “systemic hedonism” may be viewed as an incipient ethos of the modern Russian bourgeoisie yearning for conscious consumption strongly restricted by the ethical framework.