Single Idea 20584

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / E. Utilitarianism / 1. Utilitarianism]

Full Idea

Critics of desire satisfaction theory argue that it gets things backward. We desire things because we already think they are good in some way. Desire theory puts it the other way round.

Gist of Idea

Desire satisfaction as the ideal is confused, because we desire what we judge to be good

Source

Tuckness,A/Wolf,C (This is Political Philosophy [2017], 1 'Is happiness')

Book Reference

Tuckness,A / Wolf,C: 'This is Political Philosophy' [Wiley Blackwell 2017], p.13


A Reaction

Not persuasive. It looks to me as if skiing is a spendid pastime, but I have no desire to do it. More exercise would even be a good for me, but I don't desire that either. Indeed, right now I desire more cake, which is very naughty.