Example[ edit ] Suppose Paul likes to collect stamps. According to most models of behavior, including not only utilitarianism , but most economic, psychological and social conceptions of behavior, it is believed that Paul collects stamps because he gets pleasure from it. Stamp collecting is an avenue towards acquiring pleasure. However, if you tell Paul this, he will likely disagree. He does get pleasure from collecting stamps, but this is not the process that explains why he collects stamps.
My purpose here is to pull out some pertinent ideas in an attempt to deepen your understanding of the role of pleasure in our lives. The Good Greek Life Socrates believed that reason was a path to the good life. He also told his followers to look inward i. Keep in mind that the ancient Greeks believed that happiness was extremely rare and reserved only for those the gods favored. By being virtuous and just, he said, one could realize the true purpose of human existence, which would then lead to a happier life.