Is ignorance bliss? Would human beings, without higher thought processes, lead a happier existence? Or, “is it better to be a human dissatisfied, than a pig satisfied”?(Mill, 335). These are questions that plagued the mind of John Stuart Mill. These are questions that help us look into ourselves and form our own opinions of pleasure, happiness, and utility. Utilitarianism is a hedonistic philosophy that advocates the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of …showed first 75 words of 412 total…

…showed last 75 words of 412 total…overall happiness is to concentrate upon maximizing the happiness of those whose needs, goals, and aspirations you understand the best, your own and those people close to you.” (Quinn, 315). Mill merely brought the idea of utility close to home. He transformed it into a more personal philosophy, whereby showing the importance of self-awareness and value of close friends and family. If everyone sought utility in this fashion the sum total of happiness would be maximized.