mill Flashcards
Who was John Stuart Mill, and what were his key works?
Mill was a 19th-century liberal thinker and MP, known forUtilitarianism,On Liberty,The Subjection of Women, andPrinciples of Representative Government.
Who influenced modern utilitarianism, and what is its core idea?
Jeremy Bentham, with the idea of maximizing happiness and minimizing suffering, based on the consequences of actions.
What distinguishes Mill’s utilitarianism from Bentham’s?
Bentham saw all pleasures as equal, while Mill argued for a qualitative distinction, valuing intellectual and moral pleasures over base ones.
What is the liberty (harm) principle?
Individuals’ freedom can only be restricted to prevent harm to others; one’s own good is not a sufficient reason for interference.
What are the two limitations Mill places on free speech?
Speech is limited when it incites violence or promotes fraud.
How does Mill define harm in the context of the harm principle?
Harm is the infringement of “interests as rights,” which include both moral and legal rights.
Why does Mill advocate for freedom of speech, even for false ideas?
To keep truths as “living truths” through continuous debate, preventing stagnation of knowledge and fostering progress.
How does Mill justify that freedom leads to utility and happiness?
Freedom allows individuals to determine their happiness, develop judgment, and promote individual and social progress through diverse opinions and lifestyles.
What is Mill’s view inThe Subjection of Women?
Mill argues against the subordination of women, advocating for legal and social equality to improve human development and progress.
What critique is made of Mill’s perspective on women’s roles?
Mill is critiqued for expecting women to conform to male-defined standards rather than allowing feminist perspectives to redefine societal norms.
What is consequentialism?
A moral philosophy stating that the correctness of actions is judged by their outcomes or consequences.
What is the hedonistic calculus in utilitarianism?
A method to evaluate pleasure and pain based on intensity, duration, certainty, and proximity.
What does Mill mean by “experiments of living”?
Allowing individuals to explore diverse ways of life to test and validate what leads to happiness and progress.
How does Mill’sOn Libertyaddress “uncivilized communities”?
Mill excludes these groups from the harm principle, viewing them as “barbarian cultures” requiring guidance rather than autonomy.
What example does Mill provide to distinguish free speech and incitement?
Criticizing corn-dealers in the press is acceptable, but doing so to an angry mob inciting violence is not.
What is rule-utilitarianism, and how does it relate to Mill’s philosophy?
Rule-utilitarianism prescribes actions based on rules that maximize utility, aligning with Mill’s structured approach to moral decisions.
How does Mill address societal domination and power structures?
He notes that those in power often justify domination as “natural,” citing examples like Southern slaveholders.
Why does Mill believe freedom of speech benefits even true ideas?
Discussing truths prevents them from becoming dogmas and promotes their relevance and vitality.
What does Mill say about women’s roles in marriage?
He suggests women should prioritize managing the household and raising a family, which some critique as limiting.
How does Mill differentiate between qualitative and quantitative pleasure?
Qualitative pleasure values intellectual and moral pleasures over base ones, while quantitative pleasure treats all pleasures as equal.
What are the key concepts in Mill’sOn Liberty?
Harm principle,freedom of speech,self-protection, and restrictions on liberty for harm prevention or uncivilized communities.
How does Mill view the subjugation of women inThe Subjection of Women?
He considers it wrong and a hindrance to progress, advocating for perfect equality between the sexes.
What principle guides Mill’s moral philosophy?
The principle of utility, aiming to maximize happiness and minimize suffering for the greatest number.
What does Mill argue about the relationship between freedom and happiness?
Freedom enables individuals to pursue happiness, fosters judgment, and drives social and individual progress.
