John Stuart Mill: Utilitarianism and The Value of Education

If it is realistic that in at least some instances individuals behave in such a way that is reflective of Mill's analytic account of human behavior, then there are specific responses that could resolve or eviscerate both the hazard & proclivities of people to overindulge in substances or become dependent on them. As illustrated previously, some people may fail to see the value of a joy that surpasses what individuals are aware of, or which is beyond the scope of their present comprehension. It therefore appears essential to guide people on the subject of happiness as a way to enlighten them & expand their cognitive faculties. It is this instruction that may further incline substance use to give up their hapless pursuit of lower pleasures in order to achieve a sustainable improvement in the benefit to their existence. This dialogue can remain completely exclusive from any moral arbitration on the part of unsympathetic individuals. Again, a lack of knowledge in a topic is not justification to judge the person for not having said education. It is for this point that it also is critical to convey guidance of joy in a compassionate and patient way, given the complicated nature of the dialogue & the potential dispositions of substance dependent individuals.

This theory-crafting does not seem to live exclusively in the domain of the nebulous. It does seem to be the case that many people who go through lower and higher joys choose the latter. Numerous members of AA (indeed it might be argued that all members of AA who undergo their spiritual enlightenment) give up their drug of choice for a greater order of fulfillment. However, this enjoyment certainly does not have to be spiritual. There are many occasions where previous substance abusers stop use of them after they discover an existance that is more suited to what real happiness entails. In this existence, Mill has seemed to accurately describe human nature in at least some cases. This description of utilitarianism could very well be the fix to some substance dependent people, especially if other methods fail or remain insufficient as a treatment strategy.

Final Thoughts

So why was an overview of philosophy required to the dialogue of chemical dependency? It should not be inferred that previous claims made pertaining to the motivation of addicted individuals is the singular understanding of motivation. The truth is quite the contrary. But speaking in more detail concerning a specific motivation makes solutions to the problem easier to overcome. Furthermore, this proposed supplement to treatment is precisely that - an addition. Training in ethics & happiness will contribute, but not replace, existing methods of substance abuse treatment which are effective. Conceiving potentially appropriate philosophical concepts is simply an attempt to deepen our comprehension of substance abuse & provide deeper insight into the workings of human activity. Hopefully, this insight will lend itself to pervasive or more effective progress and treatments for dependent people. So it would seem, Mill's Utilitarianism is a good place to begin this endeavor.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com