Mills Utilitarianism

Question 1

Greatest Happiness Principle

Answer 1

Right actions promote happiness, wrong actions promote the reverse of happiness

Question 2

What does Mill mean by happiness?

Answer 2

Pleasure and absence of pain

Question 3

Are all pleasures equal? How do we decide which are most valuable?

Answer 3

No, one that has experienced multiple pleasures can give preference.

Question 4

Should pain always be avoided?

Answer 4

No

Question 5

Principle of impartiality

Answer 5

The happiness that forms the utilitarian standard of morality is not the agents own happiness, rather the happiness of all affected by the action.

Question 6

(Mill) Is morlaity based on motives or consequences?

Answer 6

Consequences are all that matter

Question 7

Is there a single correct answer to every moral issue? (Mill)

Answer 7

Yes, whatever creates the greatest overall balance of happiness

Question 8

Is utilitarianism an objective or subjective moral theory?

Answer 8

Objective

Question 9

Are any actions wrong in themselves? (Mill)

Answer 9

No, only outcomes matter

Question 10

What makes utilitarianism attractive?

Answer 10

1. Simple
2. Objective
3. Promotes equality

Question 11

Potential objections to utilitarianism?

Answer 11

1. Why would anyone pursue others’ happiness over their own interests
2. Utilitarianism is overdemanding
3. Tyranny of the majority

Question 12

Act utilitarianism

Answer 12

An action is morally required if and only if it does more to improve overall happiness than any other action in the circumstance.

Question 13

Rule utilitarianism

Answer 13

An action is morally right simply because it follows rules that will maximize overall happiness