The 19th century utilitarian philosopher, John Stuart Mill, examines pleasure in chapter two of his text Utilitarianism and proposes his theory on pleasure being the only intrinsic good. Mill states in the “theory of life,” that “all desirable things…are desirable either for pleasure inherent of themselves,” claiming that pleasure is the only reason we as humans should strive for (Mill 10). However, I believe pleasure may not be the only desirable state all humans live to seek. Mill’s hedonistic approach is flawed and I will discuss the implications based around Mill’s thinking.
MILL ARGUMENT:
John Stuarts Mills’s hedonistic concept of intrinsic pleasure evolves around the “Greatest Happiness Principle.” Mills Greatest Happiness Principle clarifies his conception of happiness and how one must seek happiness to gain maximum pleasure. Mill presents, “by happiness is intended pleasure and the absence …show more content…
The hierarchy of pleasure illustrates that there is different levels of pleasure that a person can reach. Whether it is qualitative or quantitative levels of pleasure. Mill tries to convey that people can gain different levels of pleasure through activities or hobbies. Mill carries his point through his example of a pig, “better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied…better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied” (Mill 13). His point clarifies that you can be satisfied in either the low or high pleasure involvements, as long as you are gaining the maximum pleasure possible. Both levels of pleasure can bring about different qualities of happiness. One who has a higher involvement in pleasure may feel a stronger sense of restrictions than someone who has a lower sense of pleasure. Mills point on the word “fool” can be viewed best by understanding that people have different qualities of pleasure and they only know from past experience if they have reached that
MILL ARGUMENT:
John Stuarts Mills’s hedonistic concept of intrinsic pleasure evolves around the “Greatest Happiness Principle.” Mills Greatest Happiness Principle clarifies his conception of happiness and how one must seek happiness to gain maximum pleasure. Mill presents, “by happiness is intended pleasure and the absence …show more content…
The hierarchy of pleasure illustrates that there is different levels of pleasure that a person can reach. Whether it is qualitative or quantitative levels of pleasure. Mill tries to convey that people can gain different levels of pleasure through activities or hobbies. Mill carries his point through his example of a pig, “better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied…better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied” (Mill 13). His point clarifies that you can be satisfied in either the low or high pleasure involvements, as long as you are gaining the maximum pleasure possible. Both levels of pleasure can bring about different qualities of happiness. One who has a higher involvement in pleasure may feel a stronger sense of restrictions than someone who has a lower sense of pleasure. Mills point on the word “fool” can be viewed best by understanding that people have different qualities of pleasure and they only know from past experience if they have reached that