Question

. Mill explains that there are different forms of pleasure, and that a properly formulated utilitarianism accounts for the value of more than one kind of pleasure. Explain what we called the “swine objection” and the problem it charges utilitarianism with having. Next, carefully explain how Mill responds to this objection, including (but not limited to) what kinds of pleasures he thinks we value to a greater degree, why we do so, and how we can determine which pleasures those are.

Answer 1

Mill proposed to understand the misconceptions of Utilitarianism. Mill suggests that Utilitarianism is not absence of pleasure and states that it is the Greatest Happiness Principle. He goes on to explain that human pleasures are higher than animal pleasures, and human beings seek a life of dignity and contentment.

The swine objection states that the human beings are capable of enduring higher levels of pleasure that involves aesthetic endeavors and intellectual and moral capacities. This is much more to happiness than what is seeked by a lower level animal.

The following are the problems it charges:

1) Hedonistic Utilitarianism puts human happiness and animal happiness on the same plate.

2) Pleasure from within is ignored, and it is only seen as absence of pain.

3) The capacity and range of human pleasure has been reduced to that of a pig's.

Mill's response:

1) Mill argues that human pleasure is much more wider than mere intensity and duration of the pleasure giving stimulus. He stresses on the "quality" of pleasure more than the intensity and duration.

2) The kinds of pleasure which MIll think are of greater value to human beings are aesthetic, bodily and intellectual pleasures. This point of view has also been validated by other experts who also believe that aesthetic and intellectual pleasures are more desirable forms of pleasure.

3) According to Mill, we can determine the higher levels of pleasure by the delights it offers. The higher levels of pleasure have an intrinsic happiness and not just circumstantial advantages. Higher pleasures are generally safer, permanent and inexpensive. Whereas, lower levels of pleasure are risky, temporary and costly.