Explain The Distinction Between Higher And Lower Pleasures For Mill

Submitted By Agbolade1
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Explain the distinction between higher and lower pleasures for Mill. Provide one clear example that consistently illustrates how this distinction functions and is relevant today. Do you agree that there exists a qualitative difference between different types of pleasures? On what basis?

According to Mill, a higher pleasure is a pleasure of the mind, put simply as anything that affects one’s brain positively so in short they are intellectual pleasures. Examples are taking a philosophy class in order to gain credits to meet the requirements to take the CPA qualification exam and then passing said qualification exam and another is partaking in competitive sports to attain a reward such as a trophy or a medal. On the other hand, lower pleasures are pleasures of the body such as eating, consumption of alcoholic beverages, working out, slumbering or even fornication so in short, they are sensual pleasures. The distinction between these two pleasures is very important. So, reading a good book or any other educational and intellectual pleasures would be far superior and would supersede eating, drinking, having sex and so on.
Of course, intellectual pleasures are more permanent, less unreasonable, and safer than the pleasures of the flesh. An example is the very talented Heath Ledger whose pursuit of the lower pleasures culminated in his taking the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine. If he had chosen to spend his time seeking after the higher pleasures, then maybe just maybe, he would still be alive. On the other hand, Evan Spiegel whose sole pursuit of the higher pleasures have led to the immense growth of the fairly new iPhone/Android app Snapchat (without death or self-harm). Higher pleasures tend to be more fulfilling, long-lived and enjoyable. Higher pleasures are safe, permanent, and sometimes inexpensive pleasures while lower pleasures are dangerous, short-lived, and generally more expensive. What Mill wants to show is that the higher pleasures encompassing intellect, imagination, and emotion are superior in their intrinsic nature and not merely in their circumstantial advantages. In other words, what Mill aims to prove is that the higher pleasures are