Essay On John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism

Words: 414

Pages: 2

Open Document

John Stuart Mill, in his short work “Utilitarianism,” argues that utilitarian ideals create the most happiness and value for society. In chapter four of the book, Mill argues that the development of positive habits in society is essential to utilitarianism in practice. To support this claim, he distinguishes the concepts of desire and will, stating that morality stems from desire, but that desire fades over time. Will, in Mill’s view, is the driving force in a person over time, and will is susceptible to habit. To make sure that people make choices creating the most social utility after desire fades, Mill argues that habit is a necessary coercive force in society to maximize utility. Mill says that habit is exercised in three ways. The first of these is unconsciously, with habit dictating a person’s choices when he or she might be indifferent and not consciously contemplate his or her actions. The second is consciously in opposition to our preference. In this way, Mill argues, individuals can be coerced by developed habits into making positive social choices that create the most utility, despite a person’s desire to make another choice that doesn’t create the maximum utility. The final way habit is exercised according to Mill is consciously in fulfillment of preference, meaning that both a person’s desire and will (directed by …show more content…
These two differ in that rule utilitarianism argues that morality and ethics are derived from the ruleset of a philosophy, while act utilitarianism argues that the morality of a philosophy stems from the actions that it creates. As such, Mill’s argument for more habits to create social utility is effectively one for act utilitarianism, as it attempts to circumvent a person’s desires to create a more positive action. This is opposed to rule utilitarianism, which would aim more to make a person have more positive

John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism Essay

In “Utilitarianism” John Stuart Mill makes a distinction between lower and higher pleasures he explains that they are not equal and pleasure should be ranked not only on quantity but also on quality. I believe Mill is correct about this claim because some types of pleasures are more valuable and desirable than others. Higher pleasures are pleasures that require having cognitive capacities to experience. These are things like intellectual pursuit, being valuable to society, using ones’ imagination…

Words 863 - Pages 4

Utilitarianism: John Stuart Mill and surely Considerable Theory Essay

Consider Utilitarianism, He Asked Nicely In the first chapter of Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mills, the philosopher introduces a question of endless mystery and enduring conversation similar to the arguments over intelligent design or even the creation of the universe. He presents an investigation with endless disputable hypotheses which searches for the primary source which determines proper decision making. Resulting from the delicate critiques of the current popular ethical opinions delivered…

Words 1509 - Pages 7

Kant Vs Mill

proposed by John Stuart Mill or Immanuel Kant might seem right or wrong depending on the subjective viewpoint of the audience. One thing is for certain though, both the mentioned authors are exceptional philosophers with a huge investment in the field. John Stuart Mill (1806-1873), a talented British philosopher, proposed various theories that set the basis for different disciplines like sociology, economy, and politics (Schefczyk). Among others, Mill specifically concentrates on the utilitarianism theory…

Words 585 - Pages 3

Rhetorical Analysis Essay On The Pursuit Of Happiness

power, or something else. Philosopher John Stuart Mill attributes such motivation for societal advancement to the desire of happiness. Mill believes that humans desire to be happy and desire the happiness of others, therefore driving improvements to civilization for the benefit of all. Because humanity wants to be happy as a whole, society will continue to advance for the benefit of all. As humanity develops, the sources and avenues of happiness can also change. Mill believes that while the factors contributing…

Words 694 - Pages 3

J. S. Mill Consequentialism

easier. Some get the better end of the deal, and others are left behind just trying to survive. Over the course of history, because of ethical values, and a utilitarian mindset the world has begun to be a farer place. In this report I will show how J.S Mill has been a forerunner in an optimific lifestyle, and how consequentialism has shaped our world today. What is consequentialism? Consequentialism is the idea that the morality of one’s actions are judged by the outcomes/consequences. When a police officer…

Words 533 - Pages 3

Outline Utilitairanism Essay example

ethical theory of Utilitarianism In this essay I will be outlining and discussing the ethical theory of Utilitarianism and use examples in order to back my points. I will be discussing the main concepts within Utilitarianism and explaining them fully. Ethics is a branch of philosophy concerned with the study of what is good and bad. Utilitarianism is an ethical study which deals with the usefulness of an action and deals with the outcome of an action. Utilitarianism is suggests…

Words 1924 - Pages 8

Essay on katie s midterm for philosophy

Opens Thursday @ Noon- Closes 8 PM Friday People Plato- Ring of Gyges, Psychological egoism Jeremy Bentham- Utilitarianism/ Greatest Happiness/Hedonistic Calculus John Stuart Mill- Utilitarianism/ Greatest Happiness Aristotle- Intellectual Virtue, Principle of the Mean, Moral Virtue, Teleology Immanuel Kant- Categorical Imparative/ Goodwill Epicurus- Ataraxia, Happiness, Epistemology John Rawls -The Two Principles of Justice Concepts Moral Philosophy (Also known as ETHICS)- is the study of morality…

Words 2696 - Pages 11

Essay about Marriage Equality

the debate over the equality of marriage in the United States has not yet lead to a unified solution. Often referred to as marriage equality, same-sex marriage arguments in the United States have been spiking controversial debates ever since Richard John Baker and James Michael McConnell applied for marriage license at Hennepin County District Court on May 18, 1970. The clerk at the court, Gerald Nelson, denied the couple’s application without any consideration. According to Mr. Nelson, as they were…

Words 2044 - Pages 9

Philosophy Essay 2

(3) Explain and evaluate the principles John Stuart Mill uses to decide when we should be free to do as we please and when the government is justified in controlling our actions. Provide examples of each situation. Do the same for the issue of individual freedom of speech versus government control of speech. Why does Mill think that these principles are best? For our purposes, "explain" means to state the theory and to describe the important features of the theory in a manner that an intelligent…

Words 1213 - Pages 5

Philosophy 241 Lecture Note Essay

different approach to normative philosophical ethics: 1. Teleological/Consequentialist Ethics: Utilitarianism and egoism. Readings by Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, Bishop Joseph Butler; critique by Dostoevsky; some relevant contemporary feminist reflections by Marilyn Frye. 2. Deontological ethics: Immanuel Kant: Sections 1 and 2 of the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals; Kant's notorious essay "On a Supposed Right to Tell Lies." Contemporary reflections by existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre…

Words 7807 - Pages 32