"All desirable things... are desirable either for the pleasure inherent in themselves, or as a means to the promotion of pleasure and the prevention of pain"
- John Stuart Mill
About this Quote
John Stuart Mill's quote recommends that all preferable things are preferable since they bring pleasure or due to the fact that they assist to prevent discomfort. This suggests that enjoyment and discomfort are the 2 primary incentives for human behavior. Mill's quote suggests that people are driven by the desire to experience enjoyment and prevent discomfort. This concept is supported by mental research which has actually found that human beings are motivated by the pursuit of enjoyment and the avoidance of discomfort. Mill's quote also indicates that enjoyment and discomfort are the two main requirements for judging the desirability of something. This suggests that individuals will only pursue something if it brings satisfaction or helps to avoid pain. In conclusion, John Stuart Mill's quote recommends that enjoyment and pain are the 2 main motivators for human behavior and the 2 primary criteria for judging the desirability of something.
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