JS Mill - RULE

Question 1

His book name and date

Answer 1

‘On Liberty’ , 1859

Question 2

Argues that…

Answer 2

• The higher pleasure is the body and the lower pleasure is the mind
• distinguishes between public and private acts
• happiness is the goal, pleasure is too simplistic and can be damaging

Question 3

Mill Quotes

Answer 3

• “I’d rather be a dissatisfied human than a satisfied pig”

- “over himself the individual is sovereign”

Question 4

Counter Arg:

Answer 4

“no man is an island” - J.Donne

Question 5

What does he say about the state?

Answer 5

The state should only intervene if needed

Question 6

His aim

Answer 6

Eudimonia, like Aristotle

Question 7

Negatives

Answer 7

• Seems to place preservation of the rule above individual need
• He is reluctant to prevent individual harm because of the rule of maximising liberty should be adhered to for the greatest general happiness
• It is doubtful that we can ever be certain that following the general rule will lead to the greatest balance of good over evil

Question 8

Positives

Answer 8

• minorities are not overlooked - have freedom of speech

- the aim is happiness

Question 9

Mill + Kant

Answer 9

Mill used the example of someone overdosing on drugs - if permitting their self-harm is for the greater good then it is okay.

However: Kant would argue in the second form of the categorical imperative that everything should be done for the sake of persons, never using them as means to ends.