Mill's Greatest Happiness Principle

369 Words2 Pages
When Mill talks about the Greatest Happiness Principle, he means happiness in reference to the generality of mankind (in general not individual). Mill states, “For that standard is not the agent’s own greatest happiness, but the greatest amount of happiness altogether” (page 234). To this, Mill also adds in quantity and quality, saying we need to seek out the highest extent and amount of enjoyment but also reduces as much pain as possible. This meaning the greatest extent on can go to is into only to themselves but all to mankind, making it about the general not the individual. Mill understands the concepts of ‘tranquility’ and ‘excitement’ by ‘tranquility’ meaning one can be “content with very little pleasure” (page 236) and ‘excitement’