Chapter 4 Mill

Question 1

higher pleasures

Answer 1

intellect; feelings; imagination; moral sentiments and sensitivities

Question 2

lower pleasures

Answer 2

bodily pleasures and physical sensation

Question 3

higher faculties

Answer 3

the elevated mental, spiritual and emotional capacities that add to human dignity

Question 4

human dignity

Answer 4

sense of self-respect and self-worth, physical and psychological integrity and empowerment

Question 5

inferior type

Answer 5

for Mill, those who pursue lower pleasures

Question 6

superior type

Answer 6

perceives most sources of happiness as imperfect; satisfied with the exercise of her higher faculties

Question 7

infirmity of character

Answer 7

improper development and moral weakness

Question 8

enlightened self-interest

Answer 8

Bentham wished to harmonize the interests of the individual with the interests of society

Question 9

personal sacrifice/altruism

Answer 9

putting others’ interest before one’s own; doing things for their sake

Question 10

disutility

Answer 10

pain and suffering

Question 11

altruistic utilitarianism

Answer 11

Mill’s version; contains feelings for humanity and a disinterested and impartial pursuit of the good; greatest happiness of the greatest number

Question 12

incommensurable

Answer 12

not able to be judged by the same standard as something

Question 13

mental cultivation

Answer 13

the process of trying to acquire or develop a quality or skill; broadening the mind

Question 14

social liberty

Answer 14

nature and limits of the power that can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual

Question 15

democracy

Answer 15

a system of government in which the citizens exercise power directly or elect representatives from among themselves to form a governing body; rule of the majority

Question 16

What was Bentham’s influence on Mill?

Answer 16

Mill accepted Bentham’s principle of utility as the standard for morality; in its defense, Mill developed his own version of utilitarian ethics

Question 17

How are pleasures distinguished?

Answer 17

terms of quality; higher, superior and lower, inferior; higher pleasures relate to intellect,imagination, moral sentiments and uncostliness; are ennobling, satisfying and enduring

Question 18

How are higher pleasures risky?

Answer 18

cause sensitive, superior-types to suffer more intensely; require stronger character and are more difficult to attain

Question 19

What are the basic philosophical differences between Mill and Bentham?

Answer 19

Bentham sees pleasure only in terms of quantity; Mill makes a distinction between quantity and quality.
Mill more altruistic utilitarianism and less egoist than Bentham.
Mill rejects hedonic calculus.

Question 20

What are Mill’s views on human misery?

Answer 20

People have duty to minimize suffering; much of misery is humanly caused and therefore humanly correctable; lack of personal enjoyment in life results from selfishness and want of mental cultivation

Question 21

How does Mill conceptualize the relationship between government and the individual?

Answer 21

democracy best form of government to allow individual self-expression and self-fulfillment; govt should maximize individual liberties within limits; constraining limits can and should be placed on individuals actions that would harm others.