John Stuart Mill s Utilitarianism - 1553 Words

John Stuart Mill begins the explanation of his version of Utilitarianism by replying to common misconceptions that people hold regarding the theory, and as a result describes his own theory more clearly. The main issue that Mill raises is that people misinterpret the word â€Å"utility† as in opposition to â€Å"pleasure†. However, utility is actually defined as pleasure itself and also the absence of pain. â€Å"Those who know anything about the matter, from Epicurus to Bentham, who maintained the theory of utility meant by it, not something contradistinguished from pleasure, but pleasure itself and the exemption of pain.† (Mill, Utilitarianism, Chapter 2) Mill continues by explaining that once this misunderstanding is corrected, those that comprehend utility, or ‘the greatest happiness principle’, appreciate that â€Å"actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness† (Mill, Chapter 2). By this account, pleasure and the absence of pain are the only things desirable as ends in themselves; the only inherently â€Å"good† things. Consequently, all other experiences and situations are merely desirable to the extent that they provide a basis or springboard for such pleasures. However, it is still important to understand that utilitarianism doesn’t simply require people to follow what makes them happy in a personal sense. Instead, in Mill’s theory morality is determined by the greatest happiness principle: a moral act is thatShow MoreRelatedJohn Stuart Mill s Utilitarianism1771 Words   |  8 Pages John Stuart Mill s Utilitarianism Throughout Philosophy, morality is a central component. Although, each scholar views the definition of morality differently, the common underlining theme is that of individuals striving to become better and think for themselves. Morality plays a big part in utilitarianism. Many philosophers have defined utilitarianism in a variety of different ways like Jeremy Bentham who believes an action is right if happiness is promoted and wrong if it reverse happiness, includingRead MoreJohn Stuart Mill s On Liberty And Utilitarianism Essay2257 Words   |  10 PagesThis essay examines and inspects liberty and order conflict based on the writings of philosopher John Stuart Mill, titled On Liberty and Utilitarianism. We will discuss how his philosophical views on equality as fundamental to what it means to be human. We will interpret John Stuart Mill’s theorist view on equality as fundamental to the good or bad functioning of the state? The question and debate we would also raise will be, is equality be integral the arrangements of power? Lastly, we wouldRead MoreJohn Stuart Mill s Doctrine And Utilitarianism1802 Words   |  8 PagesThe approach that I strongly agree is the John Stuart Mill’s doctrine and Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is a moral approach that believes `` the supreme principle of morality is to produce as much happiness as possible`` (118). And ``There is in reality nothing desired except happiness`` (118). Utilitarianism evaluates the action according on the amount of happiness. The good action is the one that its result is the most desirable happiness. I choose this approach because I think, if every personRead MoreJohn Stuart Mill s Utilitarianism Essay1381 Words   |  6 Pagesresult of there being many different theories, some can overlap while others can vary greatly. The two most widely known theories, Utilitarianism and Deontological ethics, greatly conflict with each other. They differ mostly in what they value most, the outc ome vs. the action/motive. John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism itself differs from the original form of Utilitarianism created by Jeremy Bentham. Bentham felt that pleasure was wholly good, and that pain to the lone evil in the world, as he said, â€Å"NatureRead MoreJohn Stuart Mill s Utilitarianism1642 Words   |  7 Pagesa wide range of interpretations, as well as having no clear meaning. John Stuart Mill, an English philosopher, based his controversial sentiments of happiness on Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarianism, believing that goods are the means to greatest happiness for the greatest number of peoples. Epicurus, an Ancient Greek philosopher, who similarly encouraged people to follow his pleasure based philosophy to obtain happiness. Unlike Mill, Epicurus’ philosophy is based on individualistic hedonism, which oftenRead MoreJohn Stuart Mill s Book, Utilitarianism870 Words   |  4 PagesIn John Stuart Mill’s book, Utilitarianism (1863) he challenges many critics that are against his theory. One of which is the claim that Utilitarianism is a swine doctrine. They interpret the theory by saying a humans ultimate goal in life, is that of a swine; pleasure in the absence of pain. It is quite an understandable remark, but definitely is an over analyzed critique, in my opinion. Mill however replies to the critics in grave detail, defending his theory. Although many strengths and weaknessesRead MoreJohn Stuart Mill s Version Of Utilitarianism2088 Words   |  9 Pagespain is the only thing undesirable as an end. Everything else is good or evil as it tends to promote pleasure or pain*. I will argue that pain should be considered as a means as well as an end and show that this is consistent with John Stuart Mill’s version of Utilitarianism. Conjoining the consideration of pain as a means and the notion of association of ideas, I will give what I hope is a unique explanation as to why higher pleasures are so often considered supe rior to lower pleasures. Finally IRead MoreUtilitarianism And Its Flaws Of John Stuart Mill s Defends Utilitarianism Essay1307 Words   |  6 PagesEthics from a Global Perspective 7 December 2016 Utilitarianism and its Flaws John Stuart Mill’s defends utilitarianism, an ethical theory according to which, as he puts it, â€Å"actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness† (155 Ethics). In other words, actions are morally right if they make us happy and actions are morally wrong if they make us unhappy. Utilitarianism is an ethical theory in which an action is morally rightRead MoreJohn Stuart Mill s Moral Theory Of Utilitarianism1514 Words   |  7 PagesJohn Stuart Mill wrote on his moral theory of Utilitarianism, which many have refuted by explaining that it failed to respect the dignity and worth of human beings. Mills theory of utility bases an actions morality on its ability to create the maximum amount of happiness. Happiness as described by Mill, is the maximization of pleasure over grief. Some critics have even said that Mill’s theory degraded humans to swine as it belittled morals to come from pleasu res of the body that even animals hadRead MoreJohn Stuart Mill s Utilitarianism And Immanuel Kant s Categorical Imperative1487 Words   |  6 Pagesthemselves with, but two major categories of moral philosophy are the most popular and the most debated. These are John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism and Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative. In looking at the three trolley cases, one can align themselves with either Mill, Kant or create their own perspective. Utilitarianism is defended by Mill in his writing entitled Utilitarianism. This method of deciphering good versus bad is rather simple. The Principle of Utility states that â€Å"Actions are