Prompt 5: How does Mill avoid the paradox of hedonism–the notion that if we pursue only our own happiness, we will never be happy? Is self-sacrifice a virtue in utilitarianism? What role does the principle of impartiality play in Mill’s calculation?

The Principle of Impartiality:

The principle of impartially is equal happiness of how everyone is equally happy which makes people all equal. What Mills states about impartial is, “As between his own happiness and that of others, utilitarianism requires him to be as strictly impartial as a disinterested and benevolent spectator.” It’s a hard choice to make sometimes because not everyone can be happy. If you had some extra cash and would want to give it to the homeless. There’s three of them and you have to pick only one of them to give the cash to. One person would be happy the rest wouldn’t even yourself because you don’t have any more spare cash to give. Mill’s calculation plays into this by, “According to the Greatest Happiness Principle, as above explained, the
Ultimate end, with reference to and for the sake of which all other things are desirable (whether we are considering our own good or that of other people).” This means the more happiness in the world the better it is such as health, environment, and etc.

Self-Sacrifice:

Self sacrifice is the greatest virtue there is because you’re able to share joy with others. Mill himself admits that, “the willingness to sacrifice one’s happiness for that of others is the highest virtue.” Mills concluded that, “Utilitarians value sacrificing one’s good for the good of others, they do not think that the sacrifice is in itself a good.” I believe that Utilitarians don’t like when people sacrifice themselves. Utilitarians would like for people to sacrifice themselves for others as the greater good.

My Perspective:

I would agree because in my believe, if you pursue only your own happiness, unfortunately you’ll never be truly happy. You’ll have your own happy moments and would tell yourself that you’re happy when really you’re not. To feel truly happy is by helping others and have this undesired joy that you can’t explain what it is, shows what being truly happy feels like. Buying yourself expensive clothes wouldn’t make you feel happy, but would make you feel more confident than being happy. When you spread positively around the world, others can bright up someone’s day even if you don’t know it. No matter on how big your house is, having a great smart devices, or anything most people don’t have, but want it the most wouldn’t make you feel truly happy even if you have achieved your goals which makes you more proud than feeling happy. In my point of view to fully understand it, you have to do something very generous that comes from the heart and can’t be forced. If it’s forced, it shows that you truly have no emotion of intention only trying to benefit yourself of pursuing your own forced happiness which would be called paradox of hedonism. Mill’s claim was right that if you pursue only your own happiness, you’ll never be truly happy no matter how hard you try.

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