This research discusses utilitarianism, the philosophy of John Stuart Mill. It will present the main issues of Mill's argument and show what position he takes. It will also present his argument in support of his position. Then Mill's argument will be analyzed and criticized. The idea will be to point out mistakes in his argument. Finally, the research will present a personal comment and position on the issue and explain why that position is valid.
Mill's basic argument about utilitarianism starts with the fact that it is based on a social idea about human beings. The social principle is that he wants to create the greatest happiness or pleasure for the greatest number of people. The way he talks about this is to say that there is a different social value for every different kind of pleasure. In other words, there are categories of pleasure. The "difference of quality in pleasures" is his idea about the choice that is made between two potential pleasures. The utilitarian choice is made "by those who are completely acquainted with both, placed so far above the other that they prefer it, even though knowing it to be attended with a greater amount of discontent, and would not resign it for any quantity of the other pleasure which their nature is capable of" (Mill, 1871).
But why would anybody make a choice that would lead to discontent? The more pleasure, the better, seems to be the obvious choice in all cases. Mill has an answer for that: reason. Any living being can feel sense pleasures, but only humans can make judgments about what kind of choice will result in the greatest good for the greatest number. Humans are the only ones who can figure out the difference between "quantity" and "quality" of pleasure.
It is quite compatible with the principle of utility to recognize the fact that some kinds of pleasure are more desirable and more valuable than others. It would be absurd that, while in estimating all other things quality i...