What does Mill think are the only desirable ends?
His own theory of morality, writes Mill in Utilitarianism, is grounded in a particular “theory of life…–namely, that pleasure, and freedom from pain, are the only things desirable as ends.” (CW 10, 210) Such a theory of life is commonly called hedonistic, and it seems appropriate to say that Mill conceives his own …
What are the most desirable ends from Mill?
The chief support Mill offers for this principle is that “happiness is desirable, and the only thing desirable, as an end. . .” (234).
What does Mill identify as the only thing desirable as an end in itself?
Mill argues that the only proof that something is desirable is that people actually desire it. It is a fact that happiness is a good, because all people desire their own happiness. Thus, it is clear that happiness is at least one end, and one criterion, of morality.
What does Mill think is the most important element to utilitarianism?
Mill defines utilitarianism as a theory based on the principle that “actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.” Mill defines happiness as pleasure and the absence of pain.
What is Mill’s theory?
Mill combined economics with philosophy. He believed in a moral theory called utilitarianism—that actions that lead to people’s happiness are right and that those that lead to suffering are wrong.
What are only things desirable as ends What does it mean to say something is desirable as an end?
What does it mean to say something is desirable as an end? ( 7) – For Mill pleasure (and freedom from pain as a type of pleasure) are the only things that are valuable as an end. Everything else in life, according to Mill, is a means to achieve this end.
How does Mill think his assertion that happiness alone is desirable in itself can be proven?
How does Mill think his assertion that happiness alone is desirable in itself can be proven? According to Mill, pleasure is the only thing desirable for itself and not as a means to some other end. According to Mill, it is better to be a satisfied pig than a dissatisfied human.
What is good according to Bentham?
Happiness, according to Bentham, is thus a matter of experiencing pleasure and lack of pain. Although he never practiced law, Bentham did write a great deal of philosophy of law, spending most of his life critiquing the existing law and strongly advocating legal reform.
What does Mill conclude that we ordinarily mean by justice?
Mill argues that justice can be distinguished from other forms of morality by looking at the difference between perfect and imperfect obligations. Imperfect obligations are those that no one person has the right to require of another. Perfect obligations are those that a person may demand of another.
Why does Mill distinguish different pleasures?
Mill delineates how to differentiate between higher- and lower-quality pleasures: A pleasure is of higher quality if people would choose it over a different pleasure even if it is accompanied by discomfort, and if they would not trade it for a greater amount of the other pleasure.
What is Mill’s greatest happiness principle?
Mill’s Greatest Happiness Principle (Principle of Utility) establishes that happiness is the ultimate criterion to establish what is moral and what is not, i.e., the ideal moral society is the one where everybody is happy and everybody is free of pain.
What is Mill’s harm principle?
John Stuart Mill, On Liberty. Mill wrote what is known as the ‘harm principle’ as an expression of the idea that the right to self-determination is not unlimited. An action which results in doing harm to another is not only wrong, but wrong enough that the state can intervene to prevent that harm from occurring.
How does Mill understand pleasure?
Mill’s Hedonism
Mill contends that pleasure is not merely one thing that contributes to our well-being, it’s the only thing. Similarly, only pain makes us worse off. Mill thinks that a person’s life goes well for her just insofar as she is happy. Mill defines “happiness” as pleasure and freedom from pain.
What are the two components of a satisfied life according to Mill?
The main constituents of a satisfied life appear to be two, either of which by itself is often found sufficient for the purpose: tranquillity, and excitement.
What is Mill’s greatest happiness principle quizlet?
What is the “greatest happiness principle?” Actions are right in as much as they tend to promote happiness and wrong in as much as they do the opposite. In other words, happiness is pleasure in the absence of pain.
What does Mill regard as highest virtue?
Mill admits that the willingness to sacrifice one’s happiness for that of others is the highest virtue. Furthermore, he says that to maintain an attitude of such willingness is actually the best chance of gaining happiness, because it will lead a person to be tranquil about his life and prospects.
How does Mill respond to those who point out that some people desire virtue as good in itself quizlet?
How does Mill respond to those who point out that some people desire virtue as good in itself? By arguing that virtue, like power, fame, or money, can become an ingredient of (and not just a means to) happiness.
What does Mill think we need to consider when making moral decisions?
Mill thinks it is critical to living a morally good life that we are unbiased in our consideration of other beings’ happiness. Every sentient being’s potential pleasure or pain counts. This principle of equal consideration, Mill argues, is the secret to moral progress.
What is virtue according to Mill?
Virtue, according to the utilitarian doctrine, is not naturally and originally part of the end, but it is capable of becoming so; and in those who love it disinterestedly it has become so, and is desired and cherished, not as a means to happiness, but as a part of their happiness.
How does Mill support human rights?
Mill believed that individuality could not prosper without a “liberal culture,” consisting of individual liberties, equality of women, toleration of different lifestyles, a free-market economy, and limited government.
Which theory of the good did Mill and Bentham embrace?
utilitarianism
Bentham and Mill were both important theorists and social reformers. Their theory has had a major impact both on philosophical work in moral theory and on approaches to economic, political, and social policy. Although utilitarianism has always had many critics, there are many 21st century thinkers that support it.
What are the main differences between Bentham and Mill’s utilitarianism?
Both thought that the moral value of an act was determined by the pleasure it produced. Bentham considered only quantity of pleasure, but Mill considered both quantity and quality of pleasure. Bentham’s utilitarianism was criticised for being a philosophy “worthy of only swine”.
What is for Bentham and Mill the only principle in assessing the morality of human action?
Bentham and Mill both believed that human actions are motivated entirely by pleasure and pain, and Mill saw that motivation as a basis for the argument that, since happiness is the sole end of human action, the promotion of happiness is the test by which to judge all human conduct.
How is Mill’s utilitarianism different from Bentham’s?
The main differences between Bentham theory and Mill theory are: Bentham advocated that the pleasures and the pains differ in quantity and not in quality. He said that pains and pleasures can be computed mathematically. But Mill said that pain and pleasure can’t be measured arithmetically they differ in quality only.
Why is Mill’s utilitarianism called qualitative utilitarianism?
Qualitative Utilitarianism
Mill argued that certain “pleasures” and “pains” were of greater consequence than others, even if there was no quantifiable proof of their increased importance. He argued that “higher pleasures” could only be recognized by those who have experienced them.
How did Mill try to improve upon Bentham and was it really an improvement?
Mill’s incorporation of rules that generally lead to the most happiness for the most people avoids this, as ‘do not kill’ is a rule that generally leads to happiness. Therefore it could be argued that Mill’s theory improves upon Bentham’s theory as these rules prohibit unjust acts as being deemed moral.