mill notes

Mill Notes 1. What standard should we use to decide which kinds of pleasure are more valuable than others? Why? Which kinds of pleasures does Mill think would be most valuable according to this standard? Do you agree with him? • Pursue a life of brutish pleasure • It is better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied • Mill says we do and can desire nothing but pleasure • Pleasure is the only thing that is always worth pursuing for its own sake -all from summary on 17 • Hedonism: Happiness is the only thing valuable for its own sake. • Desire-Satisfaction Theories: Our lives go well to the extent that our desires are satisfied. • Objective Theories: How well one's life is going depends on more than one's mental states. Mill’s Hedonism: • All people desire happiness, and nothing but happiness, as an end in itself. (descriptive claim) • There are many desirable things, but all “are desirable either for the pleasure inherent in themselves, or as a means to the promotion of pleasure and the prevention of pain.” • Humans are capable of different kinds of pleasures than other animals. (descriptive) • Some kinds of pleasure are more valuable than others. (normative and descriptive claim) -from powerpoint Pleasure + Absence of Pain = Happiness • Higher pleasures are more valuable than lower ones • Mills Aim: Maximize Pleasure Means: Competent Judge Test and Maximizing Hedonism Comments: Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of Goods • Mill argues that we can evaluate the qualities of our choices and values by Examining the consequences, and seeking to maximize pleasure and minimize pain Using the “competent judge test”