Objective List Theory

While I don't entirely agree with the objective list theory it definitely seems like the most defensible of the ones we talked about in class. The objective theory seems to be the best theory out of the ones mentioned because it also seems to somewhat fulfill several aspects of the other theories since many of the things deemed good on the list should help lead one to a good mental state. Several things on the list such as pleasure, freedom, knowledge, and fulfillment should already make most people happy so it covers some of the mental state theory that Mills eventually settles on.

       While it certainly has its fair share of problems, such as what gets to be on the list, it does seem like there is much less grey area in what is good than the mental state theory, which can have many conflicts in what puts you in a good mental state. The Objective List Theory also includes achievement and fulfillment and says that achievement is a good thing. This can be a slight problem with the other theories, such as in the mental state theory where learning a skill would be irritating and put you in a bad mental state for a long time before you are finally satisfied with your skill. The Objective List Theory seems to include fulfillment into pleasure and isn't just whatever makes you feel good without hurting other people. So overall the theories seem to try to guide one toward ultimate happiness, but the objective list theory states it in a better way and deals with the fact that just because something is puts you in a bad mental state now doesn't mean that it wont cause you pleasure later.