Happiness Essay Research Paper Happiness

Happiness Essay, Research Paper

Happiness

Happiness: In one word, this concept exemplifies the American dream.

People go to any means by which to obtain the many varied materials and issues

that induce pleasures in each individual, and intrinsically, this emotion

remains the ultimate goal, John Stuart Mill, a nineteenth century philosopher,

correctly advocated the pursuit of happiness, and maintained the concept that

above all other values, pleasure existed as the final destination, Mill’s

hedonistic views correctly and rationally identified a natural human tendency,

and his Utilitarian arguments strongly support the theory that above all else,

happiness is the most important dream to be fulfilled. Upon researching for

this paper, I came across a counter argument, which was based on metaphysics.

Immanuel Kant, in Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, defends his strong

beliefs in the issue of a good will, and surfaces as MM’s chief opponent on the

topic of metaphysics, The issue diminishes to a clash between emotions and

pleasures ve rses rationality and logic. Yet, what use is logic when the good

agent is miserable. Mill’s stance within Utilitarianism exists as the more

favorable of the two beliefs, for happiness exist as the one intrinsically

favorable element, not an emotionless mind.

The main defender of the Utilitarian system exists within the Greatest

happiness Principle. Mill lived as a chief advocate of this concept, which

supports the idea that a decision is morally correct as long as it increases and

encourages pleasures and happiness. Kant, however, in his endless quest to

remain separate from emotions and thrive only on logic, would argue that

autonomy should be placed above happiness in a list of intrinsic values. A good

will, however, does not comfort an individual in any way if happiness does not

accompany this asset, Consider this example of a seemingly happily married

couple. The wife in this duo is madly in love with her husband fiercely loyal,

and completely happy with her marriage and children. The husband, however, as

wrongfully strayed, and had a brief, but damaging affair behind his wife’s back.

Kant would argue that autonomy reigns over pleasure, and the woman should

therefore want to be informed of her husband’s adultery, Mill would greatly

disagree. By revealing the secret of the past affair, the woman’s happy world

would be instantly shattered. Her pride would diminish, her stability would

fall apart, and the children especially would be forced to view a nasty side of

their beloved father. In this case, individual control is greatly overshadowed

by the need for happiness. The husband is no longer acting unfaithful and the

family can easily continue to live in a happy realm, If the secret were to

become uncovered, all members of this circumstance unavoidably would become

terribly disappointed, Under the Greatest Happiness Principle, the wife should

not be informed. Since happiness truly lives as the ultimate in human desires,

sparing such immense amounts of pain truly is the logical choice, Mill’s

argument prevails, and all those involved remain happy. Through this example,

one can easily see that although autonomy is often a favorable feature, it does

not overshadow the importance of happiness.

One of the main arguments against Utilitarianism exist in the lack of

apparent fairness. An advocate of the Kantian logic principle would argue that

Mill’s belief system does not allow for equal treatment, When considering what

is best for an entire society, however, it is necessary for certain individuals

to endure suffering. The good of society remains the ultimate goal, and

unfortunate pain is therefore inevitable, If young children are being killed in

a certain community, the obvious good for this society is discovering and

punishing the murderer. Especially when children are involved, people

automatically demand prompt justice. The officials of this area have searched

immensely for the accused, yet no leads have surfaced, and the community

suddenly erupts with anger, they demand that someone be punished, As a

Utilitarian, the police chief sees a window of opportunity. A drug dealer has

recently been brought in on yet another drug selling offense, and the chief

decides to coerce the invalu able member of society into confessing the crime at

hand, By doing so, the community instantly reunites in support and a dangerous

and deadly revolt is avoided, and a menace to society is right back where he

would have been regardless of his confession: behind bars, Kant, however, would

argue that logically, the chase for the true offender should continue. He would

shun the emotional decision to make the whole society happy by ignoring the

rational decisions. But since the community obviously chooses happiness over

logic, Kant’s arguments are irrel

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