what does mill mean by better to be socrates dissatisfied than a pig satisfied

John Stuart Mill writes, “It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.” in his book Utilitarianism

. The meaning of this quote varies based on what makes an individual satisfied or dissatisfied.

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Why does mill say he wants to be a dissatisfied Socrates?

Thus, when Mill says he wanted to be a dissatisfied Socrates, he means J.S. Mill said that he would rather be a Socrates discontent than a pig content. As a utilitarian, Mill believed that happiness is the aim of whatever we do. Yet he maintained that happiness does not mean hedonistic pleasures.

What do you think of Mill’s ‘pig and Socrates’ argument?

What do you think of Mill’s ‘pig and Socrates’ argument for the difference between sensual and intellectual pleasures? Answer by Geoffrey Klempner. J.S. Mill in Utilitarianism asserted that it is ‘better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a pig satisfied.’.

Is it better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a pig satisfied?

J.S. Mill in Utilitarianism asserted that it is ‘better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a pig satisfied.’ This is an excellent topic for classroom discussion, especially if the instructor takes the side of the pig and challenges the class to prove him/her wrong. Mill’s point is one that seems fairly intuitive.

How is Socrates a fool and a fool satisfied?

Unlike the fool, Socrates knows both parties because of his philosophical ideals. He knows why he is dissatisfied and why the fool is satisfied. If you are a fool satisfied then you know what its like at least to some extent as to what the good life is.

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Who said it is better to be a human being satisfied than a pig satisfied?

John Stuart Mill writes, “It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.” in his book Utilitarianism. The meaning of this quote varies based on what makes an individual satisfied or dissatisfied. The “good life” is the life a person would like to live as well as ...

Why is Socrates innocent?

Socrates uses reasoning and logic throughout his trial. I believe that Socrates is innocent because he defends himself truthfully with effect. He uses sound arguments and he is passionate about philosophy. Socrates did nothing to gain in life and did not want a high social standing.

What does Socrates believe about justice?

Socrates believes that justice is the best life to live , but Glaucon is not satisfied by this answer and instead creates an improved defense of Thrasymachus’ argument that life of injustice is better than living a life of justice. Glaucon argues that people are just because it is convenient, it is a title that people have been taught to be, however, it is much easier to be unjust than just. Justice is set up like a competition in which the result is merely a compromise of the best and worst of a group of individuals. What constitutes something as just or not lies in the consequence. Justice is merely a system which is instrumentally valuable.

Why does Thrasymachus think that being unjust is better than being just?

Being unjust, Thrasymachus thinks, is better than being just because it 's stronger and leads to a more happy life.

What is Socrates' argument in Plato's book?

Argument Of Justice In Plato's Book 1 Of The Republic. Finally, Socrates claims that the unjust man is ignorant, weak and bad. Socrates argument is effective in the way that he does not shatter Thrasymachus’ argument without reason, he is given many examples that change his way of thinking.

Why is Glaucon's argument that people are just?

Glaucon argues that people are just because it is convenient , it is a title that people have been taught to be, however, it is much easier to be unjust than just. Justice is set up like a competition in which the result is merely a compromise of the best and worst of a group of individuals.

What is the air of superiority Wilde emits?

The air of superiority Wilde emits is also something he would wish to share with his audience , given that they no longer see America is a land of adventure, but as a land of reality and

What is the key to Mill's thought?

Key to Mill's thought, however, is his claim that pleasure must not be weighted all the same, but rather must be judged according to quality as well as quantity. For Mill, there is a kind of scale, and this scale is alluded to in your given paragraph. Socrates is educated, dedicating his life to the intellect and to the search of meaning, ...

Why is the fool or the pig different opinion?

And if the fool, or the pig, are of a different opinion, it is because they only know their own side of the question. The other party to the comparison knows both sides.". In this paragraph from Mill's Utilitarianism, Mill addresses the claim that utilitarianism is shallow and hedonistic, claiming that intellectual and aesthetic pleasure is much ...

What is the hierarchy of pleasure?

Mill proposes a hierarchy of pleasure, saying that the type of pleasure you obtain from listening to a complex symphony or reading great literature, for example, is of a higher order than the pleasure you derive from eating your favorite food.

What is the ideal of utilitarianism?

The ideal would be the maximization of happiness for minimal suffering.

Who said the higher being is better?

Share Link. Mill is saying here that the "higher" a being, the more satisfying their life. A human is higher than a pig, Socrates is higher than a fool. In both cases, he says, it's better to be the higher being.

Is the inferior being satisfied?

The inferior being is easily satisfied, but the superior being is so much higher, and his capacity for pleasure so much greater, that it is better to be the superior being and remain unsatisfied. This is only apparent to the superior being, since the inferior being does not know what he is missing.

Is a pig happy in its animal state?

Similarly, the pig might be thoroughly happy in its animal state, but its existence and experience will not be equal to that of a human being. Note, however, that this vision of utilitarianism has very real real-world implications.

Why does Mill say it is better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied?

What reasons does he give for thinking this? The reason he gives is that a wise man can experience the “higher” pleasures, whereas the fool experiences only the “lower” ones.

Why is Socrates better off than the fool?

The reason he gives is that a wise man can experience the “higher” pleasures, whereas the fool experiences only the “lower” ones. And, since a small amount of a higher pleasure is worth any amount of a lower one, even if Socrates is not fully satisfied enjoying the higher pleasures, he is better off than the fool who is completely satisfied ...

What does Mill mean by "doctrine worthy only of swine"?

To avoid these consequences, Mill said there were higher and lower pleasures.

Why are the fools and the pigs different opinions?

And if the fool, or the pig, are a different opinion, it is because they only know their own side of the question. The other party to the comparison knows both sides. It may be objected, that many who are capable of the higher pleasures, occasionally, under the influence of temptation, postpone them to the lower.

What is the greatest chance of having them fully satisfied?

It is indisputable that the being whose capacities of enjoyment are low, has the greatest chance of having them fully satisfied; and a highly endowed being will always feel that any happiness which he can look for, as the world is constituted, is imperfect.

What is utilitarianism in Jesus' golden rule?

In the golden rule of Jesus of Nazareth, we read the complete spirit of the ethics of utility.

What is the greatest happiness principle?

The creed which accepts as the foundation of morals, 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. To give a clear view of the moral standard set up by the theory, much more requires to be said; in particular, what things it includes in the ideas of pain and pleasure; and to what extent this is left an open question. But these supplementary explanations do not affect the theory of life on which this theory of morality is grounded namely, that pleasure, and freedom from pain, are the only things desirable as ends; and that all desirable things (which are as numerous in the utilitarian as in any other scheme) are desirable either for the pleasure inherent in themselves, or as means to the promotion of pleasure and the prevention of pain.

What is happiness in morals?

By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure. To give a clear view of the moral standard set up by the theory, much more requires to be said; in particular, what things it includes in the ideas of pain and pleasure; and to what extent this is left an open question.

What is the state of exalted pleasure?

A state of exalted pleasure lasts only moments, or in some cases, and with some intermissions, hours or days, and is the occasional brilliant flash of enjoyment, not its permanent and steady flame. Of this the philosophers who have taught that happiness is the end of life were as fully aware as those who taunt them.

Why do people pursue sensual indulgences?

They pursue sensual indulgences to the injury of health, though perfectly aware that health is the greater good. It may be further objected, that many who begin with youthful enthusiasm for everything noble, as they advance in years sink into indolence and selfishness.

What is utility in psychology?

In reality, utility is defined as pleasure itself, and the absence of pain. Thus another name for utility is the Greatest Happiness Principle. This principle holds that "actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.

Is utilitarianism a base?

It is true that some pleasures may be " base"; however, this does not mean that all of them are: rather, some are intrinsically more valuable than others. When making a moral judgment on an action, utilitarianism thus takes into account not just the quantity, but also the quality of the pleasures resulting from it.

Is Socrates' pleasure higher than an animal?

However, their pleasure is of a higher character than that of an animal or a base human. Mill writes, "It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.