Notes on John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism

Overview

• Published between 1861 and 1863.
• A defense and popularization of modern utilitarianism, founded by Jeremy Bentham.
• Utilitarianism: Actions judged morally right or wrong based on net pleasure or pain they produce.

Key Concepts

Definition of Happiness

• Happiness: Pleasure and absence of pain.
• Unhappiness: Pain and privation of pleasure.

Mill's Ethical Principle

• Actions are right if they promote happiness and wrong if they produce unhappiness.
• Determines moral actions by understanding their consequences on happiness.

Historical Context

Jeremy Bentham's Influence

• First formulated the hedonistic calculus:
  • Pleasure can be quantified mathematically.
  • Moral judgments based on pleasure/pain metrics.
• Variables of the calculus include:
  • Intensity, duration, certainty, propinquity, purity, extent.

Criticism of Bentham's Approach

• Critics labeled it "pig philosophy":
  • Suggests reduction of human experience to mere physical pleasures.
• Example: Quantity of pleasure in pushpin equated to poetry, which was criticized.

Philosophical Illustrations

Roger Crisp's Example

• Haydn and the Oyster:
  • A choice between being the composer Haydn or an oyster experiencing mild pleasure.
  • Raises questions about quantity versus quality of pleasure.

Mill’s Response to Quality of Pleasures

• Some pleasures considered intrinsically more valuable than others.
• Example quote: "Better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied."
• Differentiating higher and lower pleasures:
  • Higher pleasures chosen even if discomfort is involved.
  • Those acquainted with both prefer higher pleasures.

Critique of Mill's Utilitarianism

Elitism and Choice

• Critics argue elitism in determining pleasure: Who decides higher vs. lower?
• Example: Some may prefer life of endless chocolate cake over high culture.

Moral Dilemmas in Utilitarianism

• Potential justification for harmful actions (e.g., murder of one for happiness of two).
• Mill argues that such a society would be less happy overall if rights are not protected.

Ursula K. Le Guin's Counterargument

Those Who Walk Away from Omelas

• A city of happiness reliant on the suffering of one child in misery.
• Citizens must consent to the child’s suffering for the sake of their happiness.
• Explores moral implications of utilitarianism.
• Those who walk away seek an unknown alternative to the happiness of Omelas.

Mill's Defense of Utilitarianism

• Mill's works, Utilitarianism and On Liberty, advocate for the protection of rights.
• Emphasizes that the principle of utility should protect the rights of all individuals.

Conclusion

• Mill’s utilitarianism offers a nuanced approach to ethical decisions concerning happiness.
• The balance between individual rights and societal happiness is a central theme in Mill's philosophy.