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Is Qualitative Hedonism Incoherent?

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  • Riley, Jonathan

Abstract

Geoffrey Scarre has recently argued that the version of qualitative hedonism which I attribute to Mill is unsatisfactory for various reasons. In his view, even if it is formally compatible with value monism, ‘the Mill/Riley line’ involves non-hedonistic elements and offers an implausible account of the relationship between ‘higher’ and ‘lower’ pleasures. In this paper, I show that his objections, which are similar in spirit to those pressed earlier by Bradley, Moore and others against Mill, are unfounded where not confused. The Mill/Riley line does not rely on non-hedonistic standards and has sufficient flexibility to account for many different kinds of pleasures and pleasing activities. It remains a coherent version of qualitative hedonism, worthy of further consideration and study.

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  • Riley, Jonathan, 1999. "Is Qualitative Hedonism Incoherent?," Utilitas, Cambridge University Press, vol. 11(3), pages 347-358, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:utilit:v:11:y:1999:i:03:p:347-358_00
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