What are the implications of a society that focuses on maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain?

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Tomas Williams

Social Studies

6 August, 06:47

What are the implications of a society that focuses on maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain?

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Precious Vincent · Answer 1

The question of what are the implication of a society that focuses on maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain is a pretty broad one, and complicated too. However, there are many implications to this focus in life.

The first is that ensuring utter pleasure and happiness, and avoiding pain, is practically impossible, so that people who attempt it are going to find themselves fully frustrated as their goal will never be reached

A second problem is, how do you determine when you have maximum pleasure or minimum pain? What are the limits to seeking both ends of the spectrum? Because people whose life only focuses on pleasure, and avoid pain, can become reckless in that search, and will do anything to acquire that pleasure. However, when and what, will determine there has been enough pleasure? And how do you determine there has been very little pain?

Third, it creates a sense of isolationism from others, and of utilitarism. The first because the objective is completely personal, it does not include others, because when you are related to others, there is not way to control pain and pleasure. If you are related to others, pain and pleasure will be part of your life. Also utilitarism because people will use any and all means, including other people, to reach their desired goal. They will use any means to reach pleasure, even if that hurts another, and also use all means to avoid pain.

These are only a few of the implications of a society that focuses on the premise: maximizing pleasure, minimizing pain.

Willow Hudson · Answer 2

This is a question that refers to philosophical utilitarianism.

It is the search for the maximum happiness and pleasure, with the least possible suffering, but with an implicit moral question. When we are led to the feeling of pain or pleasure, we determine the way forward and know what is right or wrong.

In this way, it is possible that we are facing a moral dilemma. In our quest for happiness or minimizing our pain, our actions can impact others. That is, utilitarianism is essentially a teleological and consequentialist theory. Therefore, we must seek the impartial maximization of the happiness of all affected by our attitudes, regardless of the affective ties.