How Does John Stuart Mill Define Happiness

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People desire to be happy with what they have done in life. Some seem to focus mainly on trying to be happy. Going about this way, people are truly not making themselves happy. True happiness comes when people do not objectify happiness, but rather enjoy the journey. Happiness is not a goal but is a reward. John Stuart Mill makes perfect sense when he says happiness transpires when happiness is not sought after. Happiness can only achievable when one is selfless, aim for goals besides happiness, and not aim for immediate satisfaction. John Stuart Mill stated, “Those only are happy (I thought) who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness; on the happiness of others, on the improvement of mankind, even on some art or pursuit, followed not as a means, but as itself an ideal end. Aiming thus at something else, they find happiness by the way.” This quote indicates that in order to be happy, one must …show more content…

John Stuart Mill declares that “The enjoyments of life (such was now my theory) are sufficient to make it a pleasant thing, when they are taken en passant, without being made a principal object. Once make them so, and they are immediately felt to be insufficient.” He is stating that once items that bring happiness are not prioritized, they cease to bring any joy. Immediate satisfaction is only for a brief moment. True happiness is the kind of happiness that one has worked for to gain the bliss. For example, buying toys or trinkets are rewarding because a person desires it. However, once that rewarding experience is nonexistent, toys and trinkets fail to bring happiness. People may argue that toys and trinkets do bring happiness, but that is true only for a short time. These materials only satisfy people for only a brief moment because they begin to form new interests and forget about it. Therefore, enjoyments of life are pleasing, but they’re insufficient and not true

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