Two Central Claims of Desire

Satisfaction Theory
 If something is good for us, then it fulfills our
desires.
 If something fulfills our desires, then it is good
for us.
 Desire Satisfaction Not Necessary
for Promoting Our Good

 Pleasant surprises.

 Small children and the severely disabled.

 Suicidal people.
Desire Satisfaction Not Sufficient for
Promoting Our Good

 There also seem to be many cases in which our

desires are satisfied, but we're not made better
off. What might be some examples?
 Desires Based on False Beliefs
 The satisfaction of desires based on false
beliefs doesn't make us better off.

 Modified theory: If something fulfills our

informed desires (i.e., those not based on false
beliefs), then that thing is good for us.
Disinterested and Other-Regarding
Desires
 The satisfaction of desires for the well-being of
others does not always make us better off.

 Modified theory: If something fulfills our

informed, self-regarding desires, then that thing
is good for us.
 Disappointment
 Imagine getting everything you want . . .
 . . . and then being completely miserable.

 In cases of disappointment, desire satisfaction

doesn't always make us better off.
 Ignorance of Desire Satisfaction
 A desire is satisfied . . .
 . . . but you never learn of this.

 The satisfaction of desires doesn't make us

better off unless we know about it.
 Impoverished Desires

 Desires are heavily shaped by environment and

upbringing.
 Some people lower their expectations and
desire little for themselves.
 The Paradox of Self-Harm and
Self-Sacrifice

 If desire satisfaction theory is true, then

intentional self-sacrifice and self-harm are
impossible.
 But such things seem possible.
 The Fallibility of Our Deepest Desires

 According to the desire satisfaction theory, no

desires are intrinsically better than any others.

 To deny this, one must accept an objective

theory of welfare.