[FutureCSI]

Why does Mill say that we need appeal directly ti the greatest happiness principle only when secondary principles conflict?

[TUT317]

From memory, Mill isolated four secondary principles; liberty;democratic government and equality ( I can only think of three). These secondary principles were designed to ensure freedom for everyone.

Things become very problematic when these principles clash,i.e someone's freedom is going to suffer. The only way out is to appeal to the principle of utility.

I hope this is of some help.

[-Seven-]

YouTube - The 10 Ways To Control Your Mind

^ may be of interest.

[VSPrasad]

Only saint-like persons, who feel that they are no
Longer interested in the external world, think that
Happiness is within. For many persons, nothing can make
Them happy. Our minds are as different as our finger
Prints - no two are alike. Listening to loud music
Makes one happy and makes another unhappy. Hence, there
Can be no single definition for happiness. It is
Probably impossible to objectively define happiness as
Humans know and understand it, as internal experiences
Are subjective by nature. Because of this, explaining
Happiness as experienced by one individual is as
Pointless as trying to define the color green such that
A completely color blind person could understand the
Experience of seeing green.

As a state and a subject, it has been pursued and
Commented on extensively throughout world history.

"Call no man happy till he is dead." - Aeschylus

"True happiness arises, in the first place, from the
enjoyment of one's self, and in the next, from the
friendship and conversation of a few select
companions." - Joseph Addison

Happiness is often associated with the presence of
Favourable circumstances such as a supportive family
Life, a loving marriage, and economic stability. Kali
Yuga, the age of darkness, is the time when these
Favourables are difficult to find.

Unfavorable circumstances - such as abusive
Relationships, accidents, loss of employment, and
Conflicts - diminish the amount of happiness a person
Experiences. In all nations, factors such as hunger,
Disease, crime, corruption, and warfare can decrease
Happiness. However, according to several ancient and
Modern thinkers, happiness is influenced by the
Attitude and perspective taken on such circumstances.

From the observation that fish must become happy by
Swimming, and birds must become happy by flying.
Aristotle points to the unique abilities of man as the
Route to happiness. Of all the animals only man can sit
And contemplate reality. Of all the animals only man
Can develop social relations to the political level.
Thus the contemplative life of a monk or a professor, or
The political life of a military commander or
A politician will be the happiest according to their own
"psyche".

Our minds are as different as our finger prints - no two
Are alike.

The following is the self-reported positive affect
(i.e. positive emotion) during the day by 909 employed
Women in USA:

Activities and their positive effect index:

Intimate relations 5.10
Socializing 4.59
Relaxing 4.42
Pray/Worship/Meditate 4.35
Eating 4.34
Exercising 4.31
Watching TV 4.19
Shopping 3.95
Preparing food 3.93
On the phone 3.92
Napping 3.87
Taking care of
My children 3.86
Computer/Email/
Internet 3.81
Housework 3.73
Working 3.62
Commuting 3.45

Interaction with partners:

w/ friends 4.36
w/ relatives 4.17
w/ spouse/Significant
Other 4.11
w/ children 4.04
w/ clients/customers 3.79
w/ co-workers 3.76
w/ boss 3.52
Alone 3.41



Happiness is not entirely psychological in
Nature - it has got a biological basis too. The
Neurotransmitter dopamine is involved in desire and
Seems often related to pleasure. Pleasure can be
Induced artificially with drugs. Use of drugs is not
Something new, it has been used by many including
Sanyasis since millennia.

Our minds are as different as our finger prints
- no two are identical.

Phenom: Information from Answers.com