The Pursuit of Happiness: Understanding John Stuart Mills Philosophy

Abstract

Response to Mills Meaning of Happiness Post You have given a clear overview of Mills’ argument in response to the acquisition of happiness. Your post expresses great efforts in analyzing Mills' arguments on his meaning of happiness and how best one can acquire and maintain happiness. The text explains Mills' interpretation of happiness which you best represent with a simple equation of accurate calculation of pleasure vs. pain. I rate your text as exciting and educative as even a person who has no idea of Mills’ argument can get an overview of his arguments through your text. I commend you for that. I like that you acknowledge the consistency of the term pleasure as emphasized by Mill in defining the true meaning of happiness in any human. You give a great example of your understanding of Mills' statement that the desires of many outweigh an individual's desire. However, I think it was imperative to offer a more detailed example of that individual desire that would be of less value than the desires of many, thus resulting in unhappiness for self and others. By doing so, your text would have more weight supporting your argument. All the same, your text expresses your efforts in reading through Mills' text and interpreting it based on your understanding. Congratulations.