Mill's Utilitarianism: A Summary of Chapter Two

Chapter Two: Mill's Utilitarianism

Utility and Pleasure

1. Utility is not opposed to pleasure: This includes beauty, decoration, fun, etc.

2. Utility is not just pleasure: It also encompasses the release from pain.

Definition of Utility

Net: Moral foundation.

Pleasure and pain are not the ultimate ends of moral action.

Synopsis: Critique of Pig's Moral Theory

This theory ignores the specific pleasures of being human.

It focuses on the circumstantial advantages of intellectual pleasures.

Mill's Contribution

Mill argues for different qualities of pleasure.

Test for Higher Pleasures

Humans prefer higher pleasures (universal suffrage among those who know all pleasures).

Reason for Choosing Higher Pleasures

Some say it's due to pride, love of freedom, independence, power, and emotion.

Mill argues it stems from a sense of dignity or self-respect of the morally developed individual.

Apparent Exceptions

1. Cases of extreme misfortune (e.g., someone cheats but doesn't feel remorse).
2. Weakness of character leading to choosing the nearest pleasure.
3. Lack of development or loss of the ability to enjoy higher pleasures.

Utilitarian Moral Criteria

Utilitarianism pursues the greatest general happiness.

This benefits others, but some doubt if it benefits the agent.

Addressing Criticisms of Utilitarianism

1. Happiness is Unattainable

Defense: Happiness is not continuous but consists of highly pleasurable excitement, few and transitory pains, and many varied pleasures. A peaceful and happy life with minimal pain is possible. Selfishness and lack of intellectual culture hinder happiness. Physical and psychological suffering (poverty, disease, lack of affection, lack of dignity, loss, misfortune) result from inadequate education and social conditions.

Utilitarianism includes not only the pursuit of happiness but also the prevention and mitigation of unhappiness.

2. Happiness is Dispensable

Defense: Happiness is only voluntarily relinquished to achieve greater overall happiness in an imperfect stage of education and social organization. It can be involuntarily relinquished.

3. Requirement of Pursuing General Happiness

Defense: Most actions are intended to benefit individuals, which contributes to the overall good.

4. Utilitarians Only Consider Consequences

Don't confuse the moral rule (dependent on intention) with the reason for the action. The reason doesn't affect the morality of the action, but the estimation of the agent. Utilitarians, like others, have varying degrees of strictness in judgment.

Other Less Informed Criticisms

5. Utilitarianism is Atheistic/Disrespects Revealed Truth

Defense: God desires general happiness. Revealed truth, which must be interpreted, is utilitarian.

6. Utilitarianism Can Lead to Immorality

Defense: We have a rule of pursuing the immediate objective. Uniqueness must be specified and defined.

7. No Time to Assess the Effects of an Action

Defense: We rely on accumulated human experience.

8. The Utilitarian Will Consider Their Exceptional Case

Defense: General rules allow exceptions. Utilitarians can be self-deceived like anyone else. Moral criteria, while not always easy to apply, are better than none.