Single Idea 3763

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / E. Utilitarianism / 2. Ideal of Pleasure]

Full Idea

What can be proved good must be so by being shown to be a means to something admitted to be good without proof. Music is good because it produces pleasure, but what proof is it possible to give that pleasure is good?

Gist of Idea

Ultimate goods such as pleasure can never be proved to be good

Source

John Stuart Mill (Utilitarianism [1861], Ch.1)

Book Reference

Mill,John Stuart: 'Utilitarianism (including On Liberty etc)', ed/tr. Warnock,Mary [Fontana 1962], p.255