6.3 Utilitarianism and Mill

Utilitarianism, a key ethical theory, focuses on maximizing happiness for all. John Stuart Mill refined this idea, adding nuance to the concept of pleasure and emphasizing individual liberty. His work shaped modern liberal thought and social justice.

Mill's contributions to utilitarianism addressed criticisms and expanded its scope. He introduced qualitative hedonism, the harm principle, and explored how utilitarian ethics apply to social issues. His ideas continue to influence debates on healthcare, technology, and environmental policy.

Utilitarianism: Core Principles

Consequentialist Ethics and Happiness

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• Utilitarianism judges actions based on their outcomes or consequences
• Greatest Happiness Principle guides moral decisions promotes happiness and reduces suffering
• Defines happiness as pleasure and absence of pain considers both quality and quantity
• Advocates for impartial consideration of all individuals affected by an action
• Employs moral arithmetic calculates and compares overall well-being produced by different actions
• Distinguishes between act utilitarianism (evaluates individual actions) and rule utilitarianism (evaluates guiding principles)

Challenges to Traditional Morality

• Potentially justifies actions typically considered unethical if they result in greater overall happiness
• Rejects the idea that some individuals' happiness holds more importance than others
• Challenges conventional moral intuitions by prioritizing outcomes over intentions or rules
• May lead to counterintuitive conclusions in extreme scenarios (trolley problem)

Mill's Contribution to Utilitarianism

Refinement of Bentham's Theory

• Introduced qualitative hedonism argues some pleasures hold higher quality and desirability (intellectual pursuits)
• Developed harm principle justifies interfering with individual liberty only to prevent harm to others
• Emphasized importance of individual autonomy within Utilitarian framework
• Argued for compatibility of Utilitarianism with strong individual rights and social justice
• Explored application of Utilitarian principles to social issues (women's rights, freedom of speech)

Comprehensive Defense and Expansion

• Authored "Utilitarianism" provided foundational text in moral philosophy
• Addressed criticisms of original Utilitarian theory developed more nuanced approach
• Influenced development of liberal political theory through emphasis on individual liberty
• Countered critiques that Utilitarianism could justify tyranny of the majority
• Expanded Utilitarian thought to encompass broader social and political considerations

Strengths vs Weaknesses of Utilitarianism

Advantages of Mill's Approach

• Qualitative approach to pleasure addresses criticism of reductionism in value measurement
• Emphasis on individual liberty and harm prevention provides robust framework for personal freedom
• Offers clear, action-guiding principle for moral decision-making applicable to various situations
• Aligns more closely with common moral intuitions than Bentham's version increases practicality

Limitations and Criticisms

• Distinction between higher and lower pleasures introduces subjectivity undermines claim to objective moral calculation
• Harm principle may be too narrow fails to account for other important moral considerations
• Faces challenges in accurately predicting and measuring consequences especially long-term or indirect effects
• May struggle with issues of justice and individual rights in extreme scenarios (utility monster thought experiment)

Utilitarianism in Contemporary Dilemmas

Healthcare and Environmental Ethics

• Guides resource allocation in healthcare weighs overall benefit of different interventions (cost-effectiveness of treatments)
• Informs environmental decision-making considers long-term well-being of future generations (carbon emissions policies)
• Provides framework for addressing global issues emphasizes impartial consideration of all affected individuals (climate change mitigation strategies)

Technology and Social Policy

• Evaluates ethics of artificial intelligence development balances potential benefits against risks (autonomous vehicles)
• Analyzes economic policies and wealth distribution focuses on maximizing overall societal well-being (universal basic income)
• Examines ethics of genetic engineering and human enhancement technologies (CRISPR gene editing)
• Informs debates on animal welfare and rights considers capacity for suffering across species (factory farming practices)