John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism

Overview

• Published: Between 1861-1863.
• Purpose: To popularize and defend modern utilitarianism.

Key Figures

• John Stuart Mill: Author of "Utilitarianism."
• Jeremy Bentham: Mill's teacher, founder of utilitarianism.

Core Concept

• Utilitarianism: A moral theory that evaluates the moral rightness or wrongness of an action based on the amount of net pleasure or pain it produces.

Utilitarian Ethics

• Moral Judgement:
  • Actions are judged to be morally right or wrong by their consequences.
  • Focus is on maximizing net pleasure and minimizing pain.