Would you agree," he said, "that man's sole duty is to…
““Would you agree," he said, "that man's sole duty is to produce as much pleasure as possible?" "Only if the pleasure produced is equivalent to the diminution of pain." My father crossed his arms. "And only if one man's pleasure is as important as any other's.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote explores utilitarian ethics, suggesting that moral duty is to maximize pleasure while minimizing pain, treating each person's happiness equally.
In simple terms: Moral duty is to maximize pleasure and minimize pain equally for everyone.
Consider others' happiness as much as your own.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy making
- healthcare decisions
- business ethics
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we measure pleasure versus pain?
- Can all pleasures be compared equally?
Balancing pleasure and pain can be subjective and culturally variable.