phil discussion 3 (1)
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School
The University of Oklahoma *
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Course
1273
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
Pages
4
Uploaded by ChancellorValor12257
Discussion
Bentham Pleasure: Anything that gives you pleasure
Consequences good= Morally right
Consequences bad= Morally wrong
-
The greatest good for the greatest number
-
Quantity
Mill pleasure: Higher and lower pleasures
-
Maximize the good= Pleasure
-
Mill is about both quality and quantity
-
Higher Pleasures: Literature, chess, watching classic movies
-
Lower Pleasures: Football games, board games (sorry, trouble)-Things that don’t take
much thought
Main Difference: Mill is about quality and quantity, and Bentham is about quantity.
1.
Do something that already gives you a lot of pleasure (like going to an OU
football game or taking a hike out in nature);
2.
Do something that you sort of like, but that you are thinking about cultivating
more
of a taste for (like reading great literature or watching classic movies);
3.
Do something that seems highly desirable, but more because it is appropriate
rather than pleasurable,
per se
(like visiting an elderly relative or starting on
your homework).
Question 1:
What would
Bentham
say was the best option (assuming your actions
are not impacting anyone else, and so assuming that whatever good is created
just goes to you
)
? Be sure to explain your answer.
Option One, which involves engaging in activities I already find highly pleasurable, like
attending an OU football game or going on a nature hike, aligns well with Bentham's
philosophy. These activities inherently maximize my personal happiness. Furthermore,
as they often lead to positive outcomes such as reduced stress and enhanced
well-being, they adhere to Bentham's idea that pleasure is valuable when it results in a
favorable consequence. In this context, Option One emerges as the preferable choice
within the utilitarian framework, emphasizing personal well-being and happiness when
no harm is caused to others.
In a scenario where my actions have no impact on anyone else, Jeremy Bentham's
utilitarian philosophy would guide me to select the option that maximizes my personal
happiness and pleasure. Bentham's core principle, "the greatest happiness for the
greatest number," pertains to individual happiness when external consequences are
absent.
Question 3: What would
Mill
say was the best option (assuming your actions are
not impacting anyone else, and so assuming that whatever good is created just
goes to you
)
? Be sure to explain your answer.
Mill's utilitarian philosophy emphasizes the distinction between higher and lower
pleasures, with a preference for those that contribute to profound and lasting
happiness. Option Two, which involves cultivating a taste for activities like reading great
literature or watching classic movies, aligns perfectly with Mill's values. Even though
one might only 'sort of like' these activities initially, Mill would argue that by choosing
this option, individuals prioritize personal growth and the pursuit of elevated forms of
pleasure. Mill's recognition of the transformative power of higher pleasures underscores
that this choice not only benefits the individual but also contributes to the greater good,
enhancing overall well-being for both the individual and society. This emphasis on
cultivating tastes for higher pleasures reflects Mill's view that such pursuits lead to a
richer and more fulfilling life
Question 3: In the previous questions, we had you assume that your actions are
not impacting anyone else, so you were judging in terms of getting something
good for yourself. Let's eliminate that assumption . Suppose your actions can
influence someone else - your hike might influence someone else's hike
(positively or negatively), your attending the game might help/hurt others;
cultivating your tastes might take away from family time or mean that you
become a new friend to someone else. Does allowing that your actions might
impact others change your previous responses?
Yes, allowing for the possibility that my actions can influence others does change the
considerations in my previous responses, especially when applying utilitarian principles.
Question One: Jeremy Bentham's utilitarian philosophy primarily emphasizes
maximizing personal happiness and pleasure. In this context, if my actions, such as
attending an OU football game or going on a nature hike, impact others positively by
enhancing their experiences, then Bentham's utilitarian calculus would still primarily
focus on the pleasure and happiness generated for all individuals involved. If the net
effect is positive and the pleasure outweighs any potential displeasure caused to others,
then Option One aligns with Bentham's utilitarian principles.
Question two: Mill's perspective, which values higher intellectual and moral pleasures,
the impact on others becomes crucial. If cultivating a taste for activities like reading
great literature or watching classic movies detracts from family time or negatively
affects others, then Mill's utilitarianism would require a more nuanced analysis. It would
involve weighing the potential personal growth and higher pleasures against the
negative consequences for others. This choice may still align with Mill's ideals if the
overall benefit to well-being, including my own and that of others, justifies any potential
drawbacks.
Considering the potential impact of one's actions on others introduces a more nuanced
evaluation within a utilitarian framework. It necessitates a careful examination of the
overall well-being and happiness of all affected parties, rather than just focusing on
personal pleasure or happiness. Each option's moral value would depend on the net
effect on the collective happiness of everyone involved.
Do the thing that causes the most happiness—for example, going with your family over
friends to a football family because your family wants to see you. Maximizes pleasure
and minimizes pain. Mill and Bentham both want to maximize pleasure. For question
one… For question two…. Thinking about other people, not just your pleasures.
Recognize that your pleasures can affect other people in good or bad ways. Since you
have to think about other people, mill would still go to the football game even if it isn't
considered a quality event because he still wants to maximize pleasure and minimize
pain. Apply theories to Questions one and two. How theories work when it Whatever
outcome that brings you the most good. Utilitarians want to max pleasure and the good
they just have different opinions on what's good.
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