Philosophy Discussion: Analyzing Utilitarianism, Pleasure, and Ethics

This philosophy discussion post presents a student's response to the concept of utilitarianism, focusing on the ideas of pleasure, ethics, and the views of John Stuart Mill. The student agrees with the perspective that pleasure offers a foundation for ethics, aligning with the utilitarian standard that prioritizes overall group pleasure over individual happiness. The discussion explores Mill's ideas on utility, distinguishing it from pleasure as freedom from pain. The student references Mill's work to analyze happiness, pain, and the greatest happiness principle, concluding that utilitarianism provides circumstantial advantages. The post includes references to Mill's 'Utilitarianism' to support the arguments made. The student's analysis offers insights into the complexities of utilitarianism and its relevance to ethical considerations.

Philosophy
Student’s Name:
Student’s ID:
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Table of Contents
Response.....................................................................................................................................................2
Discussion...................................................................................................................................................2
References...................................................................................................................................................4

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Response
I am highly convinced with the perspective of Krista where she states that the things we like to
do make us happier. She tried to express her opinion by providing a few of the examples related
to her past that did not make her happy. She provided an example based on college where she
said that we prefer to go to college for pursuing good grades and build our career. However, if a
person does not wants to go to college he or she possess various other options to achieve his or
her goals. I am really satisfied with her concept that if a person wants to accomplish his or her
career goals, various options are available where the person could utilize them efficiently. To
some extent, it is true that a person's pleasure could lead to another person's pain.
On the other hand, the utilitarian standard stated that the right to conduct does not provide
happiness to an agent. Thus, I agree with the opinion of Krista that pleasure offers humans an
appropriate foundation of ethics. It has been observed that the overall pleasure of a particular
group is more important than the happiness of an individual by focusing upon right or wrong
actions.
Discussion
As per utilitarian standard Mill states that there possess few situations that demonstrate the
present circumstances of human knowledge. I tried to come up with his ideas where he believes
that utility is completely different from pleasure. The writer’s utility theory is something that is
different from pleasure, but pleasure itself that is freedom from pain (Mill, 1863). In other words,
some of the writers habitually expressed utilitarian that provides pleasure in various forms such
as, through amusement, ornament or beauty (Mill, 1863). With this, I come to know that utility is
a popular word through which the new generation are obtaining their sole notion with the help of
its meaning. The foundations of greatest happiness principle, utility or morals carry the
appropriate actions through which the writers seek to spread happiness to create the contrary of
happiness (Mill, 1863). From the perspective of Mill, I learned that happiness provides pleasure
without any pain, whereas, unhappiness leads to pain.
It has been observed that the concept of utility presents the idea of pleasure and pain. However,
the supplementary demonstrations do not put an impact on the theory of life due to which the
theory of morality is grounded such as freedom from pain as well as pleasure (Mill, 1863). Such

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theory generates in the mind of different people with a purpose and feeling of inveterate dislike
(Mill, 1863). I got to know from the perspective of Mill that the writers of utilitarian have
derived mental superiority over bodily pleasures towards greater uncostliness, safety,
permanency and many more. I believed that in some of the other way Mill’s perception is correct
as the theory of utility provides us with circumstantial advantages instead of providing intrinsic
nature. All of these points have helped the utilitarian’s to prove their case that demonstrates
higher ground with complete consistency.

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References
Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. London: Parker, Son and Bourn. Retrieved from
https://www.utilitarianism.com/mill4.htm
Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. London: Parker, Son and Bourn. Retrieved from
https://www.utilitarianism.com/mill5.htm
Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. London: Parker, Son and Bourn. Retrieved from
https://www.utilitarianism.com/mill3.htm
Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. London: Parker, Son and Bourn. Retrieved from
https://www.utilitarianism.com/mill2
Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. London: Parker, Son and Bourn. Retrieved from
https://www.utilitarianism.com/mill1.htm