Projectivist utilitarianism and the satisfaction of desire

David Gordon

doi:10.1007/BF00183073

Projectivist utilitarianism and the satisfaction of desire

David Gordon

School of Education

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

N. M. L. Nathan's argument that IDP utilitarianism, if universally adopted, is inconsistent, does not succeed. The argument requires that if an IDP utilitarian has only self-regarding desires, then none of these desires can be informed. This rests on a partial misuse of the expression 'satisfaction of desire'. For an individual attempting to realize his self-regarding desires, the satisfaction of the 'satisfaction of a desire' is unmeaning. The naming of an object of the desire is an intrinsic part of the phrase 'satisfaction of desire'. Further, contrary to Nathan's claim, this suggestion does not trivialize IDP utilitarianism.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	437-443
Number of pages	7
Journal	Erkenntnis
Volume	29
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00183073
State	Published - 1 Nov 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Philosophy
Logic

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10.1007/BF00183073

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Projectivist utilitarianism and the satisfaction of desire

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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