Utilitarianism: Mill

Question 1

Mill: Quote

Answer 1

“It is better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied”

Question 2

Mill: prioritised … pleasure

Answer 2

Eudaimonic, fulfilment over pleasure

Question 3

Mill: Critic of Bentham

Answer 3

B’s Util was too simplistic, M belived not all pleasures were quantitivly equal

Question 4

Mill: Response to Bentham’s Util

Answer 4

introduced qualitative dimension to pleasure Distinguished between higher and lower pleasure Asserted that some forms of pleasure are intrinsically superior to others, eg reading poetry

Question 5

Mill: Util in three points

Answer 5

• actions are right if they promote general happiness
• Happiness is pleasure and the absence of pain
• Emphasis on long term happiness and the role of moral cultivation

Question 6

Mill: Act or Rule Util

Answer 6

Rule

Question 7

Mill: justice

Answer 7

• developed ideas of justice within Util
• Argued that justice is a vital component of util, we care about justice bc it upholds justice making a happy society
• Suggests that rights are grounded in Util, not an inate moral order
• Eg the right to free speech is protected bc it leads to greater social well beign mot bc it is scared

Question 8

Mill: Stregths

Answer 8

sophisticated view of pleasure, recognising moral, Aestetics and intellectual aspects of human life Flexible but priciples, allows for exceptions Democratic ethics, prioritised the welfare of all, not just elites Empirical and accessible, grounded in observable consequence

Question 9

Mill’s application RWA

Answer 9

Euthanasia: supports volentary as it reduces suffering and respects autonomy Free speech: strong supported, even offensive speach and is fosters itellecual growth