John Stuart Mill suggest the following test (paraphrased from memory):
Look at those people that have experienced the things that you find pleasurable and things that you have not experienced. Find the subset of those people that consider the things you have not tried more pleasurable than the things that you have tried. Emulate the habits of those people.
Viewing the utilitarian imperative, to maximize pleasure, this way seems to erase the idea that utilitarianism is simply about seeking base pleasures. For instance, find people that have both engaged in watching television as often as reading for pleasure, those who read report it being more pleasurable, those who engage in work rather than ease report it being more satisfying, those who run with regularity report there being a ‘runners high’ that approaches sex in enjoyment.
