Difference in Value Between Higher and Lower Pleasures

            In John Stuart Mill’s “Utilitarianism”, he entertains a potential objection claiming that people capable of experiencing higher pleasures, referring to noble, long-term pursuits such as one’s health, regularly renounce these higher pleasures in order to seek lower, more indulgent pleasures. He writes that this is not an effective rejection because these people generally acknowledge the greater value of the higher pleasures, even as they are choosing to temporarily reject them.

            While I do agree with this, I believe there is more to be said concerning the difference in value between higher and lower pleasures. Theoretically, a life led in such a way that it never succumbed to lower pleasures would be rigorous and tedious. Given the generally accepted nature of humanity as imperfect, this becomes difficult to realistically conceive of. The act of giving in to temptation in itself allows a person to accept and come to terms with their own humanity, which then makes it easier to make peace with the difficulty and ambiguity of being an imperfect creature seeking to develop a dependable sense of morality. For instance, constantly studying and doing school work can become harmful at an excessive rate, both through increased stress and a diminished sense of perspective, even if it is for the sake of a long-term greater good. Taking occasional breaks and allowing oneself a certain degree of leniency can help one’s overall state, which can also benefit one’s long-term pleasure. A balance between higher and lower pleasures can result in more good than either could alone.