The Charge Against the Utilitarian Theory of Life

The Charge: "To suppose life has ... no higher end than pleasure -- no better or nobler object of desire and pursuit -- they designate ... as a doctrine worthy only of swine ..." (IP3 582a)

Response: "it is not [the holders of the utilitarian theory of life], but their accusers, who represent human nature in a degrading light; since the accusation supposes human beings are capable of no pleasures except those of which swine are capable." (IP3 582a)

Rather: "a beast's pleasures do not satisfy a human being's conception of happiness. Human beings have faculties more elevated than the animal appetites, and when once made conscious of them, do not regard anything as happiness which does not include their gratification." (IP3 582b)


previous list next

Richard Lee, rlee@uark.edu, last modified: 26 September 2004