Mill’s qualitative Utilitarianism; higher & lower pleasures Flashcards
According to Mill, what distinguishes higher pleasures from lower pleasures?
Higher pleasures, derived from mental activities like poetry and philosophy, are distinguished from lower pleasures, which are derived from bodily activities such as eating or drinking.
How does Mill argue for the superiority of higher pleasures over lower pleasures?
Mill contends that higher pleasures are not only quantitatively superior, as they produce more durable pleasure with less cost, but also qualitatively superior, being preferred by competent judges who have experienced both higher and lower pleasures.
What does Mill mean by the term “competent judges”?
Competent judges are individuals with experience of both higher and lower pleasures, who consistently prefer higher pleasures due to their greater quality and desirability.
How does Mill illustrate the preference for higher pleasures?
Mill uses examples such as artists enduring financial hardship for their art, musicians practicing for hours to master a composition, and students sacrificing immediate gratification for long-term intellectual development to illustrate the preference for higher pleasures over lower ones.
Question: How does Mill address Bentham’s claim that all pleasures are equal?
Mill agrees that Bentham’s quantitative approach generally judges higher pleasures superior, but Mill argues further that higher pleasures are also qualitatively superior due to their lasting and enriching effects on the mind.
What does Mill suggest about the preference for higher pleasures over lower pleasures?
Mill suggests that individuals acquainted with both higher and lower pleasures consistently prefer higher pleasures, even if it means enduring some discomfort, demonstrating the superior quality and desirability of higher pleasures.
How does Mill’s defense of Utilitarianism refute the criticism that it reduces morality to a doctrine fit only for swine?
Mill argues that the pursuit of higher pleasures, which are mentally enriching and fulfilling, distinguishes humans from mere animals and underscores the superiority of Utilitarianism as a moral philosophy.
How does Mill use the example of Socrates to support his argument?
Mill contrasts the dissatisfied Socrates with a satisfied fool or pig, suggesting that Socrates, despite experiencing discontent, enjoys a higher quality of pleasure derived from intellectual pursuits, demonstrating the superiority of higher pleasures over lower ones.
Provide an example that illustrates Mill’s concept of sacrificing lower pleasures for higher ones.
An artist enduring financial hardship to create their art, a musician practicing diligently to master a composition, or a student sacrificing leisure time to study for exams exemplify individuals pursuing higher pleasures over immediate gratification, demonstrating the superiority of higher pleasures in terms of quality and desirability.
What objection is raised against Mill’s claim that individuals who have experienced higher pleasures will always prefer them to lower pleasures?
Many will object to Mill’s claim
Critics argue that mentally cultivated individuals may sometimes succumb to instant gratification or even develop addictions to lower pleasures, challenging Mill’s assertion of a consistent preference for higher pleasures.
How do critics undermine Mill’s argument about the preference for higher pleasures?
Many will object to Mill’s claim
Critics point out instances where mentally cultivated individuals may temporarily prioritize lower pleasures over higher ones, suggesting that the preference for higher pleasures is not always absolute or guaranteed.
What does the objection to Mill’s claim reveal about the practical application of Utilitarianism?
Many will object to Mill’s claim
The objection highlights the complexities and uncertainties involved in applying Utilitarianism in real-life situations, where individuals may struggle with conflicting desires or succumb to impulses contrary to their long-term interests.
How does Mill address the objection regarding occasional preference for lower pleasures?
Many will object to Mill’s claim
Mill acknowledges that individuals may occasionally prioritize lower pleasures but maintains that, in general, higher pleasures are still preferred due to their lasting and enriching effects on the mind.
What does the objection to Mill’s claim suggest about human behavior and decision-making?
Many will object to Mill’s claim
The objection underscores the variability and unpredictability of human behavior, challenging the notion of a consistent and universal preference for higher pleasures among mentally cultivated individuals.
How does Mill respond to the objection that individuals may not always choose higher pleasures over lower ones?
However, Mill responds
Mill argues that while individuals may not always choose higher pleasures over lower ones, it doesn’t undermine the fact that they still prefer the highest pleasures they have been able to experience.
