One’s happiness is said to be the quality at which they are happy (definition). What is the quality of happiness and how is it measured though? Some say it is the amount of pleasure one feels while others will argue it is one’s experiences, or episodes, in life. However, there are more things with intrinsic value in life such as experience and growing as an individual. Therefore, within life there is more to one’s happiness than pleasure. For the readers to have a better understanding of Utilitarianism I will begin by defining what Utilitarianism is as well as the theories within the concept of it. This will allow the readers to see the many views that philosophers have on obtaining happiness. I will then follow the explanation on Utilitarianism …show more content…
Which is similar to John Stuart Mill, who believes happiness is gathered by the experiences one has in life and how one reacts to all of the outcomes of their experiences (Macleod). This is because one can be happy from not only good experiences in life, which would cause pleasure, but as well as the mistakes and learning opportunities that arise as part of growing up in life. This is also because they are being given an opportunity, of being on their own as a person which allows an individual to truly discover who they are which can also contribute to one’s happiness. However, the following example can also be faulty because some obstacles in life would not be considered to have outcomes that are for the overall good in …show more content…
As they fly through curriculum, social events and the many anxiety and stress related aspects of school, they are still happy. Even if they are failing a class they are still learning how to overcome obstacles in life on their own thus making one happy due to experiences in that are for the overall good outcome. Also assume for this example that the happiness may not be an immediate result, it can be derived from looking back on how an individual learned a life lesson. Therefore, I would say that because they are taking the opportunity as a person to enjoy not only pleasure but pain that they are achieving maximum happiness because they are learning who they are in the world. Nevertheless, some would say this concept is conflicting to the overall view of utilitarianism. All theories of utilitarianism relate to the overall outcome that effects the greater good. With many experiences in life, like debt, sickness, and death, there is question that the outcome is for the worst, unlike the previous example making it hard for one to obtain happiness. In contribution to this, how an individual portrays happiness can also effect the end results and if they believe that they must have some form of pleasure to feel happy. Even though some achieve happiness from pain and hurt though life
“Utility” or the “greatest happiness principle holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure." (Mill 7)
Happiness plays an important and necessary role in the lives of people around the world. In America, happiness has been engrained in our national consciousness since Thomas Jefferson penned these famous words in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Jefferson). Since then, Americans have been engaged in that act: pursuing happiness. The problem however, as Ray Bradbury demonstrates in his novel Fahrenheit 451, is that those things which make us happy initially may eventually lead to our downfall. By examining Guy Montag, the protagonist in Fahrenheit 451, and the world he lives in we can gain valuable insights to direct us in our own pursuit of happiness. From Montag and other characters we will learn how physical, emotional, and spiritual happiness can drastically affect our lives. We must ask ourselves what our lives, words, and actions are worth. We should hope that our words are not meaningless, “as wind in dried grass” (Eliot).
Happiness is a feeling that everyone tries to accomplish, yet some people sometimes only capture portions of it. In Brian Doyle essay, “Irreconcilable Dissonance,” he explains that divorce is becoming common among many couples today. Most couples are putting less effort into making a relationship/marriage work. There are many couples who get married, and most of them know that if the marriage does not work that divorce is always an option. With divorce in their back of their mind they lack the true meaning of having a happy marriage. In Eduardo Porter essay, “What Is Happiness,” Porter states that happiness is determined by people’s qualities in their life. People who experience a positive viewpoint on life and about others are overall to
In Utilitarianism, J.S. Mill gives an account for the reasons one must abide by the principles of Utilitarianism. Also referred to as the Greatest-happiness Principle, this doctrine promotes the greatest happiness for the greatest amount of people. More specifically, Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism, holding that the right act is that which yields the greatest net utility, or "the total amount of pleasure minus the total amount of pain", for all individuals affected by said act (Joyce, lecture notes from 03/30).
The problem with Utilitarianism is not that it seeks to maximize happiness. Rather, it is that Utilitarianism is so fixated on generating the most happiness that the need to take into account the morality of the individual actions that constitute the result is essentially eradicated. In so doing, the possibility of committing unethical actions in the name of promoting the general welfare is brought about, which in turn, renders Utilitarianism an inadequate ethical
In this paper I will argue that Utilitarianism is a weak argument. According to John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism is defined as the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Happiness is pleasure and absence of pain (Mill, 114). At first glance the Utility perspective seems logical, however it often conflicts with justice and morality. I will begin by presenting the idea that good consequences do not always determine the right thing to do. Then I will provide the counterargument that utilitarians can bite the bullet. Next I will explain that Utilitarianism is too demanding for anyone to live by, and finally provide the counterarguments from the Utilitarianism perspective.
Utilitarianism provides a method for calculating the moral worth of specific actions in terms of their consequences. Utilitarianism teaches that happiness comprises the fundamental purpose and pursuit of human life. Therefore, the value and worth of any given action should be evaluated in terms of its ability to produce happiness. The utilitarian defines happiness as pleasure and the absence of pain, and teaches that in all cases individuals should act in such a way as to achieve the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people. Utilitarianism...
The main principle of utilitarianism is the greatest happiness principle. It states that, "actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure" (Mill, 1863, Ch. 2, p330). In other words, it results with the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people that are involved.
Imagine a child living in a hot, government owned apartment in Chicago. He has no father. With his single, jobless mother he struggles to the words of the founding fathers: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable Rights; that among these, are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness...” (The Declaration of Independence). This is one of the most famous phrases in the US Declaration of Independence and has become the underpinning of the dreams of millions of people around the world. Although the words are different, these sentiments are reflected in the political and economical policies of many democracies. While the notion of ‘happiness for all’ seems like the obvious solution to many of our persistent problems, we inevitably encounter conflicts between our actions and our morals. “The state is based on……the contradiction between public and private life, between universal and particular interests. For this reason, the state must confine itself to formal, negative activities.”(Marx, 1992). This essay focuses on the issues of a prominent theory, Utilitarianism as it blends and encompasses both areas of Economics and Ethics which have become the basis of our governmental bodies.
In light of the explanations above it can be argued that in utilitarian approach there are different kind of challenges which posing serious threat to utilitarianism in a direction to achieve greatest happiness principles. First of all, utilitarian approach is a problematic from point of demanding issue because theory contradicts within itself about motives of our actions and criterion about it. Second challenge about utilitarianism is that the approach missed the analyze the real world conditions about personal experiences and cultural differences about experience. Third questionable idea about utilitarian school is that it has consequentialist points of view which may damage societal welfare and overall happiness because of personal expediency issue.
I remember when things changed. It was the summer of 2017. I was a just a little girl, eight years old. I was sitting on the couch, eating popcorn, and watching television. Everything was normal, until 5:00pm when the news comes on. The screen flashed in an instant and the headlines read “breaking news!” I was frightened because I saw my mother and father rush over to where I was sitting. I glanced at my mom and I could tell she was frightened as well.
Thesis: Despite being vague on how you produce happiness, utilitarianism is a noble goal. Striving for the happiness of as many people as possible is admirable, and a good mindset to have when making decisions. Three main reasons I stand by this belief: Individuals would become more unselfish and would look out for everyone else's best interest. Decisions and actions would influence the overall best outcome and what would most benefit a significant amount of people. This method of decision making could help people to truly think about the effects of their actions.
According to the Webster dictionary, the word happiness is defined as enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, satisfaction, or joy. When people think of happiness, they think about having a good feeling inside. There are many types of happiness, which are expressed in many ways. Happiness is something that you can't just get; it comes from your soul. Happiness can be changed through many things that happen in our everyday lives.
But in this debate, one question still raises its head - What is happiness? Happiness is not actually leading a luxurious life, but the luxury of living a life. Happiness is not actually about expanding your business, but it lies in expanding the horizons of life. Happiness is not having a meal in the most famous restaurant, but having it with your most beloved family. It does not lie in attending honorable parties, but to attend a party with honor.