The experience machine and mental state theories of well-being

Abstract

Examining the machine-state theory of well-being, the article defends the idea that individuals’ well-being is ascertained solely by the mental states they experience. Many common objections, which allege that well-being encompasses more than mental states, are rebutted. Counterexamples that urge against the machine-state theory, such as the experience machine and the abandonment of life commitments, are analyzed to demonstrate that these arguments are misinterpretations of the theory. The article determines that other values can enter into personal well-being, but their contributions are exclusively through the mental states they produce. – AI-generated abstract.