According to the quantitative hedonism theory, the duration, quantity and intensity of all pleasures have equivalent magnitudes of goodness. Bentham argues that the entire life of mankind is ruled by pain or pleasure at any point in time. Pain and pleasure collaboratively dictate what every person is supposed to do. Bentham argues that “nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure”. (Bentham 8)According to this statement, he implies that the whole of life of mankind is usually defined by pleasure or pain at any given time; that if an individual is not in pleasure, they are in pain. He further asserts that the pleasure or pain values are usually determined by its intensity, certainty duration or uncertainty, remoteness or propinquity, fecundity or purity. (Bentham 19, 20)This can be exemplified by the pleasure derived from drinking one bottle of beer to drinking three bottles of beer. The duration and quantity of beer increases to three bottles, more pleasure would be derived according to the quantitative hedonism theory.
On the other hand, Stuart mill does not agree with Bentham’s definition for the constituents of human life. In his qualitative hedonism, he argues that the quantification of all pleasure differences cannot be measured quantitatively. He proposes that various kinds of pleasure prove to be more superior to others despite equivalence of their quantities. Stuart Mill argues that various kinds of pleasures’ are more pleasurable and more advantageous compared to others. According to Mill and contrary to Bentham, it’s not only the amount of pleasure that matters but the various forms of pleasure that exist and the differences in the degree of satisfaction derived from each. Mill also claimed that people in the society are encouraged to ac righteously by the moral values and he opposed the force and effect of external impacts which seek to punish those who break the moral values. Other than these external enforcers of morality such as punishments, individuals are also encouraged to act in the right ways by such internal factors such as guilt, self esteem and conscience. (Mill ,8) Mill prioritizes happiness as the most critical morality principle and the origin of all moral responsibilities.”.however unwilling to acknowledge it as the fundamental principle of morality, and the source of moral obligation.” (Mill ,5). This argument indicates the importance of happiness in the establishment of a morally upright society.
He further argues that satisfaction and happiness are two different things and the objective measurement of different pleasures requires the expertise and skills of a qualified judge. This qualified judge ought to be an individual who has experienced various kinds of pleasures and their qualitative differences. According to Mill, these qualified judges should be individuals who have gone through both kinds of pleasures. (Those whose differences can be quantified and those which have qualitative differences) (Mill ,2)
According to the arguments raised by the two philosophers on the measurability of pains and pleasures, Mill’s view about pleasure is correct. Pleasure and pain are both intangible things which are determined by the experiential judgment of the person undergoing either. It is therefore incorrect for Bentham to quantify them like other tangible things. Stuart Mill argues that there is a great need for a competent judge in the determination of the quantity of pleasure, and this presents us with an objective way of measuring pleasure. This is further supported by the fact that the absence of pleasure in an individual’s life does not necessarily imply the existence of pain.
The superiority of Mills argument is also backed up by the fact that people are motivated by both internal and external factors to act in the right ways. Guilt can even serve a better role in encouraging a person to act righteously than an external punishment that inflicts pain.
Works cited
Mill, John. Utilitarianism. London: Savill and Edwards Printers, 1863. Print.
Bentham, Jeremy. An Introduction To The Principles Of Morals And Legislation. New York:
Hafner Pub. Co., 1948. Print.
