Utilitarianism

How does Mill avoid the paradox of hedonism–the notion that if we pursue only our own happiness, we will never be happy? Is self-sacrifice a virtue in utilitarianism? What role does the principle of impartiality play in Mill’s calculation?

Mill’s view of happiness is hedonist. To him this is a consequence of Utilitarianism because those who have their minds fixed and developed are responsible for their own happiness. He implies that society needs to fix their minds in order to start living in harmony and completely happiness.

Every single person in the word is responsible for their own happiness, however, certain factors are involved in this that might alter the course of their path like many of the social issues we face as a society. Precisely, that can be the major factor keeping us from that transformation needed to start creating our own happiness regardless of what others believe. Mill believes that in this journey we have the moral duty to include other people’s happiness in our own hapiness. A way of creating this hapiness is by helping them and being impartial while doing this. However, in order for us to enjoy of our happiness we have to see good in people and getting that satisfaction of being able to contribute something to their lives. That is what will bring a positive outcome to our perspective. Doing this we will achieve true inner happiness. This is one of the reasons Mill finds such component, self sacrifice, rewarding for both parties.

Another factor that I consider to be imporant in this topic is nature vs. nurture. Whether we want it or not our society and the environment that we have observed over time plays a huge role in decision as well as developing stereotypes that lead to the creation of mental behaviors, especially when it comes to self image. We tend to evaluate things not necessairly in the best way possible when associating societal concepts to our lives and making a comparison, which brings us back to Mills point on fixated minds or fixation.

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