rson could be high on LSD, and experience hallucinations. This person sees these visions, but they are not visible. Mill also mentions desirability in his argument, as something that people want. If something is desirable, it does not mean that it is possible to desire it, only that it should be desired. Visibility is a descriptive concept, while desirability is a normative one. So although “x is visible” does follow from “x is seen,” “x is desirable”, does not follow from “x is desired.” Sober says, “the fact that your own happiness is the most desirable thing for you doesn’t imply that you should maximize everyone’s happiness.” In the conclusion to his argument, Mill says that each person should perform those actions that promote the greatest happiness. “The conclusion of this argument sometimes requires you to act unselfishly to sacrifice your own happiness if doing so brings with it a more than compensating increase in the happiness of others,” Sober says. Here is where I side with the author; the conclusion does not seem to follow from Mill’s fourth premise, which is, the only thing that is ultimately desirable for a person is his or her own happiness. I believe that I am prepared to act unselfishly in certain situations for the benefit of others happiness. This mentality comes from my raising, my religion, and my beliefs. Mill says that I should do things only if they make me the happiest. I feel that sacrificing my time for others who are in worse off situations makes me happy. To increase the happiness of other people, in turn gives me a feeling of happiness, but following from premise number 4, Mill does not agree.Moving off of the Greatest Happiness Principle for a moment, Utilitarian's have a few problems with punishment. A non-utilitarian view of punishment is an eye for an eye. Retributionist want the punishment to fit the crime; util...
