Single Idea 5398

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

Full Idea

All judgements as to what is useful depend upon some judgement as to what has value on its own account.

Gist of Idea

Judgements of usefulness depend on judgements of value

Source

Bertrand Russell (Problems of Philosophy [1912], Ch. 7)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'The Problems of Philosophy' [OUP 1995], p.42


A Reaction

This is a beautifully simple point to be made about utilitarianism. The notion that pleasure is the sole good is prior, and the first two sentences in Bentham totally beg that question. What is the value of pleasure? Is it wicked to turn down a pleasure?