What Is Mill's Utilitarianism?

Mill questions the validity of the core doctrine of the utilitarianism, which holds that "actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness." In his philosophical inquiry, he strives to define what defines the ultimate happiness and pleasure. Contrary to Bentham, the proponent of the classical utilitarianism, who believes that all sources of pleasure are equal in value, Mill asserts that the quality of pleasure is a major factor in deciding what would be the best course of actions. Mill differentiates various types of pleasure inherent to the humankind, identifying physical satisfaction from fulfilling vital needs, aesthetic enjoyment of the surrounding beauty, and intellectual pleasures or sense of accomplishment. Mill is convinced that people, who are exclusively prioritizing fulfillment of their physical needs are not different than the rest of the animal world in its pursuit of necessities, such as shelter, food, safety, and security. In Mill's opinion, humankind has …show more content…
Mill agrees that sensual pleasures are easier to satisfy, and those pursuing higher quality pleasure might encounter challenges and frustration in their quest. Nevertheless, he assures that it is more gratifying to be "Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied." Unlike Bentham, who believes that happiness or satisfaction hold a homogenous value, and should be viewed in the quantitative context, Mill states that pain and pleasure are often intertwined, and it is up to the person experiencing these feelings to judge its intensity and