Pig or Human - Satisfied or Dissatisfied

One of my most pleasant memories is one that took place early in my career when I was a college chaplain at a community college. The head of the school thought it would be a good idea if I taught a class there. So, I updated my teaching certificate and taught a class in philosophy. It was a night class (later a day class was added) where my students literally ranged in age from 17 to 70 years old. That is a perfect mixture to teach philosophy; from those struggling to find identity to a life of rich experiences. It was 3 hours long and went by quickly. It was also when a number of Viet Nam veterans were returning and taking advantage of government subsidized education. It was of a special joy to see these young vets get turned on to education and continue their studies even when the subsidies ran out.

One of the philosophies we studied was Utilitarianism made popular by John Stuart Mill (perhaps the smartest man who ever lived) and Jeremy Bentham (its founder). Simply put, utilitarianism is a happiness principle philosophy with the great line, “Is it better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.” Mills, who created the statement, concluded it was better to be a human dissatisfied as that is what makes us human.

But as I look around at our culture today I wonder how many would agree with Mill.

Bentham was a British philosopher, lawyer and social reformer as well as the founder of Utilitarianism. He believed is welfarism, individual and economic freedom, separation of church and state, freedom of expression, equal rights for women, decriminalizing homosexuality, abolition of slavery and the death penalty, he was against physical punishment of children, and advocated animal rights. Hmm, doesn’t a lot of that sound familiar to Americans? John Stuart Mill’s father was his secretary and student.

The basic idea of Utilitarianism is happiness; ideas are good if they promote happiness. This is not the short-term happiness of a satisfied pig but the happiness that comes from being fully human in connection with other human beings and beyond. Justice is a key ingredient of Utilitarianism for without justice can we be truly happy; not only justice for ourselves but for our peers to create a happy society. Thus, taking the happiness principle to its ultimate conclusion is found working for the common good and elevating our pleasures in art and things the lift up the human spirit.

Both of these men were significant and studied by our founding fathers as the sought to create democracy; a state where people could be happy.

So, how are we doing with that?

I think people should read and discuss more philosophy. Thinking has its own reward. Sharing good thoughts for mutual satisfaction with others brings pleasure to all. There is bound to be feelings of dissatisfaction while thinking – we are human with human limitations –but together we have so much potential.

Anyone read a philosophical utilitarian newspaper or TV news program lately? I’d suggest Bill Moyer in Moyers and Company on Public TV.