Question

Explain John Stuart Mill’s theory of higher and lower pleasures: What are the problems inherent in the theory? Overall, does Mill’s idea of higher and lower pleasures make sense to you? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Mill classifies pleasure into two categories such as, lower and higher pleasures. While lower pleasures suggest they are more physical pleasures, higher pleasures refer to using the intellectual capacity and being creative. Thus, if one just fulfils one’s physical pleasures in terms of food or sex, they are not elevating themselves to their fullest human potential and they are in no way different from the animals. Human beings who are able to enjoy intellectual thinking, engage in moral reasoning and creative works would be able to experience a higher level of pleasure. I agree with the categorization because only human beings are gifted with speech, thoughts and creativity that they should utilize to live a complete life. Each human being has got a purpose in this life which one should fulfil. No one would recognize one as a human being just because of their forms which would lead them to experience the same level of low pleasure every time.

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