A Brief Analysis of John Stuart Mills Utilitarianism Essay

This work has probably received more analysis than any other work on utilitarianism available. However, I seek to do here what many others have been unable to accomplish so far. I hope to, in five paragraphs, cover each of the chapters of Utilitarianism in enough depth to allow any reader to decide whether or not they subscribe to Mills doctrine, and if so, which part or parts they subscribe to. I do this with the realization that much of Mills deliberation in the text will be completely gone. I suggest that anyone who seeks to fully understand Mills work should read it at length. In the first chapter, Mill remarks on societys need for a simple defined foundation for our morals which should be based on personal experiences. He†¦show more content†¦How does one, for example, compare the admiration of a painting to the admiration of music? Mill goes on to state that utilitarianism is not concerned as much with the pleasure of the individual as it is with the pleasure of society in general. He observes the objection that this demands a motivation to promote the greatest happiness for all, but counters by removing motivation from the picture. Utilitarianism is not concerned with motivations, but with ends. Another objection concerns the inability to determine all possible outcomes of all possible choices in a given situation. Mill means to apply utilitarianism to rules, not to individual situations (unless a precedent has not been established). Mill also responds to a number of objections which are unanswerable by many philosophies, including utilitarian isms godlessness, the infirmities of human nature, and whether happiness is attainable or necessary. Mill only states that these objections apply equally well to other philosophies, and does not directly address them. Mill dedicates his third chapter to the consequences for rejecting utility. Mill divides these consequences into external sanctions, which take the form of peer pressure or religious motivation, and internal sanctions, which take the form of discomfort of the conscience. Mill asserts that any person can be raised to cultivate certain internal sanctions (e.g., utilitarianism). However, Mill distinguishes utilitarianismShow MoreRelatedQuestioning the Effectiveness of Affirmative Action Policies1952 Words   |  8 PagesFurthermore, the essay will approach the ethical problem both from a consequentialist and a non-consequentialist standpoint. These two perspectives will be interpreted by taking Mills utilitarianism as an example of the former and Kants categorical imperative as an example of the latter. Finally, a personal analysis of the issue under discussion will be established and a conclusion as well. Briefly, the essay will argue that affirmative action can be defined as a good public policy as it canRead MoreContemporary Moral Issue Essay2709 Words   |  11 Pageswhether through writing, discussion, or debate. Required Texts: The required anthology for this course is the 4th edition of Emmett Barcalow’s Moral Philosophy: Theories and Issues (ISBN-13: 978-0-495-00715-9). Additionally, we will read John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism and the 1868 Speech on Capital Punishment (ISBN-13: 978-0-87220-605-2) and Plato’s Protagoras (ISBN-13: 978-0-87220-094-4). As the schedule of readings and assignments shows, we will also delve into a range of supplemental newspaper articlesRead MoreThe Philosophy of Happiness11705 Words   |  47 Pagesconcern for the welfare of others is presented as a means to an ultimate goal of self-fulfilment. Fulfilment and Altruism The first philosopher in the Christian tradition to break with this eudaimonism was the fourteenth century Oxford Franciscan, John Duns Scotus. While Augustine and Aquinas had followed Aristotle in placing happiness at the apex of their ethical systems, they accepted, as Aristotle did not, the idea that human beings must obey a natural law laid down by a creator God. Aquinas concurred