... happiness is desirable. Together, he uses these three steps to create a 'proof' of utilitarianism. Firstly, Mill attempts to show that happiness is desirable by appealing to the senses. He claims that the only way we can prove if an object is visible is if we can see it. Using the same naturalistic method, he claims that the only way we can know if something is desirable is if we desire it - we can sense the feeling of desire for something in the same way we can tell something is there by seeing it. Mill's claims here seem to appear plausible - at this stage all he attempts to establish is the fact that pleasure is desirable, and it is difficult to see how one can doubt this conclusion unless one is to lead a strange and pointless life. Mill appeals to our desiring faculty in terms of determining ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now