Utilitarianism Flashcards
The standard off of which human action can be judged is called what?
First Principle
Why does intuitionism not eliminate the need for a First Principle?
Mill was an empiricist, so we can only be sure of what we know via our senses. Our thoughts cannot be empirically observed and are therefore not reliable.
Why must there be a consistent foundation for all morality?
Morality does not seem to have changed very much. If it has not changed much, then we must have some kind of foundation.
What does Mill think about people who reject utilitarianism?
They are just closet utilitarians. Kant, for example, he argues is really just a utilitarian.
Why is Kant not a utilitarian?
His categorical imperative is a test of rationality and not of utility
Why could utilitarianism be considered to be a swine philosophy?
It reduces life to the mere seeking of pleasure
Replies to the criticism that utilitarianism is a ‘swine philosophy’ (2)
1) One needs to use the mind and the spirit in order to access these base pleasures
2) Mental pleasures are superior to physical pleasures.
What is the difference between a mental and physical pleasure
Mental pleasures are superior to physical pleasures.
Physical pleasures are things like base satisfaction from material things like food
Mental pleasures have long-lasting implications and involve things like education
Problems with Mill’s response to the ‘swine philosophy’ criticism
1) Mill does not say what exactly separates higher from lower pleasures; he argues that it is just a fact.
2) Are the competent judges really going to be impartial?
3) This would not work in government. People like some lower pleasures but Mill says the gov should only focus on higher pleasures like art and education
What does Crisp argue with regards to the division between higher and lower pleasures?
There is no indication as to what exactly separates them.
What does Ryan argue with regards to the competency of the judges?
Can judges really be impartial?
They have to have not only done both the lower and higher pleasures but they have to have actually enjoyed them. For example, when you are deciding between the pleasures of Aristotle and whiskey, you need someone who has actually enjoyed both
What is the role of the competent judges?
They are the people who have experienced both higher and lower pleasures. We should refer to them when determining the correct course of action
What is Mill’s response to the criticism that happiness is unattainable? (2)
1) If happiness is unattainable, we should still strive for it in avoidance of pain.
2) Happiness is attainable so the criticism is null
What are the major sources of unhappiness?
Selfishness and a lack of mental cultivation
What is Mill’s response to the criticism that utilitarianism is too demanding? (2)
1) What is right exists as a duty because of the intended consequences. Even if the motive is impure, then the actin can still be pure
2) You don’t have to be this ‘great reformer’. You only have to create good in your own vicinity. Only those in the public sphere must think about such reformation
Problems with Mill’s response to the criticism that utilitarianism is too demanding? (2)
1) We can rarely predict consequences
2) If the laws imposed are absolute in nature, is Mill a deontologist?
How does Mill respond to the criticism that utilitarianism is too cold?
An act is evaluated differently according to character. Just because utilitarianism requires one to maximise utility does not mean that you also cannot recognise a virtuous character
How does Mill respond to the criticism that utilitarianism is a godless doctrine? (2)
1) It is dependent on what we believe the desires of Gos to be. If God wishes the most happiness for him, then he is a utilitarian
2) God’s rules are like strong rule utilitarianism because one suffers when they disobey his rules
How does Mill respond to the criticism that any action can be justified simple by saying that you were maximising happiness?
If someone justifies sin based on utilitarianism, then they haven’t understood it.
How does Mill respond to the criticism that utilitarianism is too complicated and unnecessary?
Knowledge of the past and the present allows us to quickly predict a response.
EG in Christianity, the Bible is not consulted before every decision
Analogy of the Sailor
When navigating, the sailor does not ignore all of the existing guidance from sailors before him (maps etc). He uses their past experience to provide him with simple guidance
In what chapter does Mill address the criticisms of utilitarianism?
Chapter 2
What is the First Principle?
Pleasure and the absence of pain are the only things that are desirable as ends in themselves.
This forms the standard off of which human action can be judged
Why do secondary principles (e.g. do not lie) have value?
They further pleasure
How do we discern secondary principles?
Wisdom
What is the aiming for higher pleasures over lower pleasures called?
Relative quality of pleasure
