Last week in class we discussed the Utilitarian ideal of intellectual pleasures taking priority over non intellectual pleasures.
In today's world, we have all of this information and knowledge at our finger tips and we do not take advantage of it. With the computer and the internet, we are able to access information at lightning speed compared to what was done in the past, yet most people use their computers to go on Facebook rather than researching a given topic.
With this in mind, the topic of listening to Mozart and watching the television show Jersey Shore. In the Utilitarian mind set, obviously watching Jersey Shore is not as intellectually stimulating as would listening to Mozart be, however an argument can be formed in the defense of our fist pumping friends.
I; myself, can say that I find no problem with watching the television show Jersey Shore. I recognize that it is not the most quality of activities to par-take in, however I watch it for the simple fact of it is a funny show. I don't watch it in the hopes of gaining insight from it, I watch it because to me, and most of American, I find pleasure in watching this simple minded television show.
Now a question I pose is, in Utilitarian mindset, could there be a place for Jersey Shore on this heiarchy of pleasure?
I don't think that Utilitarianism says there is anything wrong with Jersey Shore or shows like it. They make people happy, so they are good. Utilitarianism says that if (and I believe this is just a prediction) you asked everyone that had enjoyed both Jersey Shore and Mozart to the greatest extent which one they liked more, most people would say Mozart, and that makes Mozart objectively better. That doesn't make Jersey Shore bad. I agree with you that mindless entertainment is valuable because people can be comforted by it. It's just less valuable than Mozart. So if you had to give someone Mozart or Jersey Shore you should give them Mozart. But if you can give them both, that is the best option. And giving them Jersey Shore is still better than giving them nothing, or giving them a show that is not enjoyable to watch.
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