Mill Flashcards
What is Mill’s main criticism of Bentham?
That his utilitarianism will favour the ‘tyranny of the majority’
What must also be considered for Mill?
The minority
What did Mill notice about pleasure?
That some pleasures had more worth than others
What are higher pleasures?
Poetry, love of nature
‘It is better to be a humanbeing dissatisfied than
A pig satisfied’
‘Better to be Socrates dissatisfied than
A fool satisfied’
Who used the analogy of Hayden and the immortals oyster to describe the difference between Bentham and Mill?
Roger Crisp
Explain the analogy of Hayden and the oyster
If quantities of pleasure are being measured, then the oyster will experience more as it is immortal. However, if we measure quality’s of pleasure, then Hayden will experience better quality pleasure as he is human, though he is mortal.
BBC example, explains the difference between Bentham and Mill
They started by producing programmes based on Mills principles, tv shows to entertain and educate, then they switched to appealing to the masses and producing just entertainment programmes (base pleasures)
Why is Mill criticised?
It is hard to work out what are high and base pleasures
How would Mill combat those who say it is hard to decide which pleasures are high and base level?
Those who have experienced both will know the difference and will become competent judges.
What does Mill mean when he says he ‘respects the sovereignty of the individual’
He respects an individuals right to make their own decisions
What is ‘The Harm Principle’?
The actions of individuals should only be limited to prevent harm to other individuals
A scenario appropriate to explain ‘The Harm Principle’
An individual can smoke in private as it it his own decision what it does to his own body
Which kind of pleasure does mill favour
Individual
