If by calling Mill’s theory hedonism, one means the elevation of bodily or physical pleasure above all else, he has in my view misinterpreted Mills assertion of the theory of utility. Mill likens hedonism to the satisfaction of a pig in his pleasures. He says “a beast’s pleasures do not satisfy a human being’s conceptions of happiness.” In fact he speaks of “the pleasures of the intellect, of the feelings and imagination, and of moral sentiments as much higher value as pleasures than to those of mere sensation.” He asserts that it is better to be a dissatisfied human than a satisfied animal. Mill did not stand for a hedonistic theory of utility.
According to Mill, the theory of utility has as its ultimate object the happiness of mankind, or Eudaimonism, a much different standard than the mere gratification of physical appetite. Not only this, but he asserts that those who are enslaved by these physical appetites will misguidedly pursue them to their own injury in opposition to the happiness sought by men free from such invisible bondage. (pg 10) They lose the ability to experience any pleasure beyond the bodily or physical pleasures that they share with pigs. Some examples of this kind of indulgence are gluttony, sexual perversions and addictions, drugs, and laziness. This kind of indulgence is what is commonly referred to as hedonism and is an undesirable outcome for John Stuart Mill.
Search This Blog
Popular Posts
-
I ran across a passage in the comments at a feminist mormon website, that sparked a response in me. The discussion was commenting on an arti...
-
I came across Ernest Hemmingway Snows at Killimenjaro at the library and brought it home yesterday. I tried to read it but didn't get f...
-
I just finished Epicenter by Joel Resenberg. It is the most remarkable book I've read in a long time. He tells about the plot lines in ...
-
I've been thinking of BY quote comparing wheat to gold and here it is .(update, Journal of Discourses website changed. This is from Jour...
-
Spring is almost here! Driving through Idaho last week in the sunshine I realized how much I really love the sunshine. Nothing like going wi...
-
During the 1830s through the 1880s, many Americans moved west into the frontier in familiar covered wagons, or Conestoga wagons, pulled by t...
-
If by calling Mill’s theory hedonism, one means the elevation of bodily or physical pleasure above all else, he has in my view misinterprete...
-
Did the media think that we would suddenly turn away from Joe when they found out he owes back taxes? Holy cow- it made him more real to us ...
-
After seeing Ron Paul interviewed regarding the economy several times, I decided to look into his philosophy and read his book The Revoluti...
-
I found this really innovative couple who began producing short video's about Mormons. They are simplified for the purpose of sharing th...