Utilitarianism And Hedonism Essay

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• The greatest happiness principle embraces that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote pleasure or happiness. Mills wrote, “By happiness is intended pleasure the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain and privation of pleasure.” He stated that pleasure and freedom from pain are the only things suitable as ends. We are required to do the greatest good for the greatest number and degree of well-being.
• Utilitarianism is based in hedonism, however, he compared some pleasure (physical pleasures) to that of swine. Mills stated that human beings have capacities higher than that of an animal’s appetite. He held some pleasures such as intellect, moral sentiment and feelings of imagination as higher pleasures.
• He considered both quality and quantity of the pleasure. While hedonists are concerned with their own happiness, utilitarianists are concerned with the …show more content…

When he was attempting to test the swing’s safety a branch fell on his daughter, and it hurt her severely. His motive was to protect his daughter, but when testing the swing’s safety, the outcome was extremely harmful. Utilitarianism does not affirm that motive has anything to do with morality. Thus, this father who had the best of intentions acted immorally according to utilitarianism (Leonard.)
• We will not always know the outcomes of our actions and even if we have the best of intentions. Utilitarianism does not have a plausible explanation for situations like this one. They simply reject the importance or intentions.
• Utilitarianism is not always possible or practical. What needs to be measured the most (the greatest happiness for everyone considering quality and quantity) is often immeasurable. The outcome is often unknown. Not all situations have a clear answer to which is the best choice. Also, one does not always know the exact consequences of one’s

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