Mill’s Rule Utilitarianism Flashcards
How does Mill’s version of Rule Utilitarianism differ from Bentham’s?
Mill’s version of Rule Utilitarianism retains the principle of Utility but disagrees with Bentham’s approach of judging every action by this principle, arguing that happiness is too complex and indefinite to be directly assessed in each individual action.
What does Mill agree with Bentham on regarding the principle of Utility?
Mill “entirely” agrees with Bentham’s principle of Utility, which holds that the goal of moral action is to maximize happiness over suffering, considering it the “first principle” of morality.
What does Mill consider the primary issue with judging every action by the principle of utility?
Mill argues that happiness is too complex and indefinite a goal to be directly assessed in each individual action, suggesting that a more nuanced approach is necessary to effectively maximize happiness in moral decision-making.
How does Mill’s approach to Rule Utilitarianism address the issues of strong and weak varieties?
Answer: Mill’s approach to Rule Utilitarianism attempts to improve upon the issues associated with both strong and weak varieties by retaining the principle of Utility while acknowledging the complexity of happiness and advocating for a more sophisticated evaluation of actions.
What term does Mill use to describe the principle of Utility?
Mill refers to the principle of Utility as the “first principle” of morality, indicating its foundational importance in his ethical framework.
How does Mill address the issue of calculation in determining moral rightness?
Mill acknowledges the difficulty of calculating which actions will maximize happiness but suggests that our moral obligation is to follow secondary principles derived from humanity’s current level of understanding regarding how to promote happiness and minimize suffering.
What are secondary principles according to Mill?
Answer: Secondary principles are more general rules and guidelines derived from accumulated knowledge and wisdom, representing humanity’s current best attempt to understand how to produce happiness and minimize suffering.
How do secondary principles relate to the principle of Utility?
Secondary principles are derived from the principle of Utility but provide more practical guidelines for moral decision-making, taking into account our limited knowledge and understanding of how to maximize happiness.
What example does Mill provide to illustrate secondary principles?
Mill cites murder and theft as examples of secondary principles, highlighting actions that are universally recognized as injurious to human happiness and therefore should be avoided.
How does Mill suggest secondary principles can be improved?
Mill suggests that secondary principles are subject to improvement as humanity’s understanding evolves, implying that as our knowledge and wisdom increase, our secondary principles should reflect these advancements in understanding how to promote happiness and minimize suffering.
What is the Harm Principle according to Mill?
The Harm Principle, advocated by Mill, asserts that individuals should be free to pursue their own happiness as long as their actions do not harm others.
How does Mill justify the Harm Principle?
Mill argues that each individual is best positioned to pursue their own happiness and that if everyone is allowed to do so without harming others, society will be overall happier.
What is a secondary principle that Mill considered important and applicable to the practice of government?
The Harm Principle is a secondary principle endorsed by Mill as essential for the practice of government, emphasizing the importance of individual freedom as long as it does not harm others.
How does the Harm Principle apply to conflicts between secondary principles?
The Harm Principle may conflict with other secondary principles, such as the principle of helping others, in certain situations where actions that cause harm may be necessary to prevent greater harm or promote happiness.
How does Mill suggest resolving conflicts between secondary principles?
Mill suggests that conflicts between secondary principles should be resolved by applying the first principle, which is the principle of Utility, to determine which course of action will ultimately produce the greatest happiness and minimize overall harm.
