Problem
Rodrigo has two options for Friday night. For one, he could go with his coworker John to the opera. Rodrigo doesn't especially like the opera-or John, for that matter-but he will be mildly amused for two or three hours. The second option is to take a safe, intense, and long-lasting drug. The drug won't give him any particular experiences-he won't do or feel like he is doing anything will he is under its influence-but he will be euphoric for eight to ten hours. (Additionally, the drug is cheap and non-addictive, there is no chance of overdose or other negative health effects, and Rodrigo know that he can use it discreetly and anonymously, so that he faces no risk of social repercussions.)
Answer the following questions, explaining as completely as you can.
A. How would the standard/traditional version of hedonism rank Rodrigo's options?
B. How would John Stuart Mill rank them?
C. What is the best reason to accept Mill's argument?
D. Does Mill's argument have any odd or uncomfortable consequences or complications?
E. What do you think? Should we accept the standard/traditional account or Mill's alternative; or is there some third option that is better than both?