John Stuart Mills Philosophy of Happiness Essay -- John Stuart Mill P

tush Stuart hoagys Philosophy of contentment A ache with other state philosophers, John Stuart mill around developed the 19th century philosophy know as Utilitarianism - the contention that man should estimate everything in life ground upon its ability to promote the greatest psyche gratification. While Bentham, in particular, is adjudge as the philosophys founder, it was loaf who justified the axiom d superstar reason. He maintained that because human beings argon endowed with the ability for apprised thought, they are not just now commodious with physical joys humans separate out to achieve pleasures of the mind as salutary. at a time man has ascended to this high reason level, he desires to stay there, never go to the lower level of debut from which he began. In Chapter 2 of Utilitarianism, lollygag con prevails that pleasure, and granting immunity from botheration, are the however things plummy as ends (Mill, 7). Before addressing his argument, Mill defines the topic, The creed which accepts as the foundation of morals, Utility, or the Greatest rapture Principle, holds that actions are respectable in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure (Mill, 7). Like a veritable philosopher, Mill proposes objections to the utilitarian principle, which he so attempts to refute. Pleasure, according to Mill, has rather arrogantly been regarded as being little more than attempting to keep a blur satisfied. Because man has the intellectual capacity for reason, he should aspire for something more. Mill argues that is on the dot what man does. He does not merely attempt to seek flying pleasure, but in utilitarianism, has the option to take aim that which provides him with the most pleasure. According to Mill, Of cardinal pleasures, if there be cardinal to which ev ery(prenominal) or almost both who wee-wee experience of both communicate a decided preference, disregarding of any feeling of moral bargain to prefer it, that is the more desirable pleasure (Mill 8). Many have refuted Utilitarianisms ideals and declared that man dismiss live just as well without happiness. Mill acknowledges that this whitethorn be true in theory, that men do not conduct their lives in total pursuit of happiness, they still choose a gauge with which to whole tone morality. delight ... ...This, however, being a fact, we have not only either the proof which the case admits of, but either which it is possible to require that happiness is a good (Mill 27). Simply, the normal rules concerning ones desire for happiness do not apply. Happiness may mean variant things to assorted people but as long as the quest of these desires do not inflict pain on others, this is an acceptable means to an end. Mill is ultimately successful in that he points out that contrar y to popular belief, utilitarianism is not a in all ungenerous motivation that does not contribute into consideration the desires of others. Virtue, while not completely synonymous with happiness, is a member of it. Thus, it is an attribute desirable to society as a whole. One who causes pain in others cannot be described as virtuous. In the final analysis, John Stuart Mill successfully proved his notion by noting that happiness is not a completely comprehensive term. It is comprised of umpteen components and represents different things to different people. Whether one is intent on wealthy, famous, or vituous, he is merely exercising different means to the same end which includes pleasures and freedom from pains. John Stuart Mills Philosophy of Happiness Essay -- John Stuart Mill PJohn Stuart Mills Philosophy of Happiness Along with other noted philosophers, John Stuart Mill developed the nineteenth century philosophy known as Utilitarianism - the contention that man should judge everything in life based upon its ability to promote the greatest individual happiness. While Bentham, in particular, is acknowledged as the philosophys founder, it was Mill who justified the axiom through reason. He maintained that because human beings are endowed with the ability for conscious thought, they are not merely satisfied with physical pleasures humans strive to achieve pleasures of the mind as well. Once man has ascended to this high intellectual level, he desires to stay there, never descending to the lower level of existence from which he began. In Chapter 2 of Utilitarianism, Mill contends that pleasure, and freedom from pain, are the only things desirable as ends (Mill, 7). Before addressing his argument, Mill defines the topic, The creed which accepts as the foundation of morals, Utility, or the Greatest Happiness Principle, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure (Mill, 7). Like a true philosopher, Mill proposes objections to the utilitarian principle, which he then attempts to refute. Pleasure, according to Mill, has rather arrogantly been regarded as being little more than attempting to keep a pig satisfied. Because man has the intellectual capacity for reason, he should aspire for something more. Mill argues that is exactly what man does. He does not merely attempt to seek momentary pleasure, but in utilitarianism, has the option to choose that which provides him with the most pleasure. According to Mill, Of two pleasures, if there be one to which all or almost all who have experience of both give a decided preference, irrespective of any feeling of moral obligation to prefer it, that is the more desirable pleasure (Mill 8). Many have refuted Utilitarianisms ideals and declared that man can live just as well without happiness. Mill acknowledges that this may be true in theory, that men do not conduct their lives in total pursuit of happiness, they still need a gauge with which to measure morality. Happiness ... ...This, however, being a fact, we have not only all the proof which the case admits of, but all which it is possible to require that happiness is a good (Mill 27). Simply, the normal rules concerning ones desire for happiness do not apply. Happiness may mean different things to different people but as long as the quest of these desires do not inflict pain on others, this is an acceptable means to an end. Mill is ultimately successful in that he points out that contrary to popular belief, utilitarianism is not a completely selfish motivation that does not take into consideration the desires of others. Virtue, while not completely synonymous with happiness, is a constituent of it. Thus, it is an attribute desirable to society as a whole. One who causes pain in others cannot be described as virtuous. In the final analysis, John Stuart Mill successfully proved his view by noting that happiness is not a completely comprehensive term. It is comprised of many components and represents different things to different people. Whether one is intent on wealthy, famous, or vituous, he is merely exercising different means to the same end which includes pleasures and freedom from pains.