DOC PREVIEW
U of A PHIL 200 - Arguments against Desire Satisfaction Theory
Type Lecture Note
Pages 2

This preview shows page 1 out of 2 pages.

Save
View full document
View full document
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 2 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 2 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience

Unformatted text preview:

PHIL 200 1st Edition Lecture 12Outline of Last Lecture I. Explanations of Hedonism ContinuedII. 2nd theory for good life and explanations for Desire Satisfaction TheoryOutline of Current Lecture III. The case against Desire Satisfaction Theory (1-2d)Current LectureIII: The case against Desire Satisfaction Theory1.) Sometimes your life can go better, even though none of your desires are satisfiedThree cases Shafer-Landau presents:Case A – Sometimes there are pleasant surprises in life. Something happens to you that definitely makesyour life better, but you had no desire for it (a kind remark, flattering interest from someone you didn’t expect)Case B – think about vaccinations: kids are most definitely benefited by them, and they definitely don’t have a desire for them (did you?). My mom would say that braces were another good example of this—Ibenefited from them, yet I had no desire for themCase C – suicide prevention. Do we improve someone’s life by stopping them from committing suicide, even if they genuinely desire to do so?2) You can get what you want even though your life is not made betterThis general objection takes a number of different forms, so we’ll have a series of sub-objections, rather than just going case for case.2a) Desires Based on False BeliefsWhat if you really want get back at someone who insulted you—but, oops, you believed wronglythat Dave was the guy who insulted you. You satisfy your desire by punching him in the face, butis your life really made better in that way?Or maybe you really want to be friends with certain people because you think they’re smart and interesting—then it turns out they’re stupid and boring. Doesn’t this show that you can have your desires all satisfied, but not have your life go better?These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.2b) Disinterested and Other-regarding DesiresEver started rooting for a team (you have a desire that they win) just because a friend of yours is a fan? When they win, does it improve your life any?What about when a friend of yours does well on a test? You presumably want them to, but does that improve your life?2c) DisappointmentCouldn’t it be the case that you form a self-regarding desire, one that’s not based on false beliefs, and you eventually get what you want—though you are thoroughly disappointed when you do?Haven’t you ever slaved over cooking a dinner where you felt like this afterwards?2d) Ignorance of Desire SatisfactionCan’t there be cases where you’re totally unaware that your desires have been satisfied? And, if so, isn’t your life absolutely no better off??Guy unknowingly becomes a father. Someone dies before they realize they’ve finally found a cure for some


View Full Document

U of A PHIL 200 - Arguments against Desire Satisfaction Theory

Type: Lecture Note
Pages: 2
Download Arguments against Desire Satisfaction Theory
Our administrator received your request to download this document. We will send you the file to your email shortly.
Loading Unlocking...
Login

Join to view Arguments against Desire Satisfaction Theory and access 3M+ class-specific study document.

or
We will never post anything without your permission.
Don't have an account?
Sign Up

Join to view Arguments against Desire Satisfaction Theory 2 2 and access 3M+ class-specific study document.

or

By creating an account you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use

Already a member?