Possible Mill Essay Questions

Question 1

Examine Mill’s utilitarian account of justice in ch.5 of Utilitarianism. How would you compare it with one of the following social contract views we studied: Locke, Rousseau, or Rawls? Does Mill provide an adequate argument for equal justice and the equal rights he wants to defend in ch. 5 or in On Liberty? Explain.

Answer 1

• compare it to Locke’s (easiest)

Question 2

Discuss and compare Bentham’s and Mill’s accounts of utility. What are the respective strengths and weaknesses of each account? Which account do you find to be the more convincing account of happiness, and why? [Note: If you respond to this question, do not answer the ID above on higher vs. lower pleasures)

Answer 2

• Bentham gives earlier form of utilitarianism (what Mill calls Hedonism)
• Mill’s account is more convincing.