Single Idea 5934

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / b. Types of pleasure]

Full Idea

Most of Bentham's 'dimensions' of pleasure refer to further pleasures, or are irrelevant to the pleasure; we are left with intensity and duration as the characteristics on which depend the value of a pleasure qua pleasure, and there is nothing to add.

Clarification

'Qua' means 'purely as'

Gist of Idea

Of Bentham's 'dimensions' of pleasure, only intensity and duration matter

Source

comment on Jeremy Bentham (Intro to Principles of Morals and Legislation [1789]) by W. David Ross - The Right and the Good §VI

Book Reference

Ross,W.David: 'The Right and the Good' [OUP 1930], p.144


A Reaction

I agree. When Bentham produces his list he seems to be trying to add a bogus enrichment to what is really a rather crude and basic notion of the aim of life. Your simple hedonist appears to only desire high intensity and long duration.