Blog Prompt 5:   How does Mill avoid the paradox of hedonism–the notion that if we pursue only our own happiness, we will never be happy? Is self-sacrifice a virtue in utilitarianism? What role does the principle of impartiality play in Mill’s calculation?

Mill avoids paradox by picking out the main points of satisfaction. Mill claims that your selfishness is not fulfilling in the long run like having enlightened self-interest will. Selfishness is thinking about yourself in the absence of the larger picture while enlightened self-interest is someone who acts to further the interest of others which will ultimately serve their own self-interest.

The definition of utilitarianism is, ” the doctrine that an action is right insofar as it promotes happiness, and that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the guiding principle of conduct.” I believe based on the definition self-sacrifice is a virtue of utilitarianism. Utilitarians use the example of a group of five people laid out on the train tracks and on the other track only one person. They ask if you were standing by the lever and control which track the train goes over would you pull the lever and save the five people or leave it be and save the one person. Utilitarians would pull the lever and save the five people over then one person because they believe that saving the five lives over the one life would have an happier outcome.

Principle of impartiality is “justice holding that decisions should be based on objective criteria, rather than on the basis of bias, prejudice, or preferring the benefit to one person over another for improper reasons.” Mills calculation is that you selfishness won’t make you happy like self sacrifice similar to principle of impartiality.