PHIL 1200 Chapter 16: Topic 31
15 May 2017
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All other things are desirable only as means to these ends one first objection. Hedonism and utilitarianism present human nature in a degrading light. These theories encourage people to gain as much pleasure as possible, at the expense of high functions, and at the expense of virtue, altruism etc. Pleasure, conceived as the gratification of appetites for food and sex, is degrading. Moreover, there seems to be no way to measure pleasure/utility, since different people find different things pleasant. There are different kinds of pleasure, some of which are more desirable than others. Distinction between higher and lower pleasures account of utility. Difference in quality as well as in quantity. But how are pleasures of different quality to be compared? (cid:498)it is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied(cid:499) But what is morally praiseworthy is exactly the denial of pleasure for some higher purpose (saints, altruists etc. )
