How to realize Happiness(四川大学英语精读课考题作文).doc

How to Realize Happiness ----feeling after reading what utilitarianism is In John Stuart Mill’s book Utilitarianism , he claimed that the unique purpose of life is the pursuit of happiness. In chapter 2, he talked something about happiness. Firstly, let’s find the answers for what happiness is. In Mill’s opinion,happiness means intended pleasure,and the absence of pain.Usually,pleasure is of beauty,of ornament,of amusement,of compliment and so on. On the contrary, unhappiness means privation of pleasure. To some extent,happiness is related to pleasure. There are many kinds of pleasure, and some are more desirable an more valuable than others. In estimating all other things, quality is considered as well as quantity, the estimation of pleasure should be supposed to depend on quantity alone. A decided preference ,which is irrespective of any feeling of moral obligation to prefer it,is the more desirable pleasure. Therefore,Mill believed that there are classes of pleasure---the superior and the inferior. The lower pleasure is easier to attain, for instance, when we are very thirsty, then we drink a cup of tea; when we are hungry to death, we can have something to eat; we satisfy our bodily desire,then we feel the inferior pleasure. At the same time, we are human beings, they also ask for pride and dignity. All human beings in one form or others. Pride and dignity are so essential a part of the happiness of those, in whom it is strong. However, whoever supposes that this preference takes place at a sacrifice of happiness---that the superior being,in anything like equal circumstances,is not happier than the inferior. In conclusion, happiness is desirable things, and exempt from pain,in enjoyments. Greater happiness means more desirable things and exempt far from pain, in more enjoyments. So the greatest happiness means all other things are desirable ,exempt as far as possible from pain, and as rich as possible in enjoyments,b