Question

Do you think there is a difference between higher and lower pleasures as Mill says? Why or why not? Give some examples of potential higher pleasures. If our actions are right or wrong according to their consequences, how far down the line of consequences do we stop in order to determine the moral worth of an action? Try to give examples of how the moral worth of an action might change as we go further down the line of consequences. Overall, do you think pleasure and pain are good indicators of the moral worth of an action?

Answer 1

Mill distinguishes between the lower pleasures that are physical and higher pleasures that people derive through intellectual reasoning. This would mean that people who enjoy the lower level pleasures, only seek to fulfil their physical pleasures where as people who enjoy the higher pleasures, seek to utilize their intellectual ability and reasoning skills as a human being that would distinguish them from the animals. When on seeks to eat food, it refers to lower level pleasure and when one seeks to complete one’s education one is looking to increase one’s higher level pleasures. One of the most important things about utilitarianism as per Mill is that it seeks to maximize pleasure and reduce harm or pain. Thus, the consequences of an action are very important as it would result either in pleasure or pain. However, pleasure and pain may not be the good indicators of good and bad actions because one may engage in a good action such as studying hard that may take one through pain while when one may engage in a bad action which may give them pleasure just like consuming drugs or using excessive alcohol.

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