Mill’s Proof of the Principle of Utility
- Mill’s Principle of Utility Mill’s name for the claim that only happiness is valuable for its own sake is the “principle of utility.” This is ripe for confusion. ...
- The Proof Mill’s argument appears in Chapter 4 of his essay Utilitarianism. ...
- Conclusion
What is the principle of utility according to John Mill?
Mill’s Principle of Utility Mill’s name for the claim that only happiness is valuable for its own sake is the “principle of utility.” This is ripe for confusion. Mill offers this claim in the course of discussing the moral theory called utilitarianism.
What is utilitarianism according to Mill?
Mill defines utilitarianism as a theory based on the principle that "actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness." Mill defines happiness as pleasure and the absence of pain.
What is a principle of utility?
[4] To add to the potential for confusion, other philosophers (both before and after Mill’s time) have used the term ‘principle of utility’ to refer to principles that are concerned with what makes actions right or wrong.
What is the greatest happiness principle according to Mill?
In Utilitarianism (1863), J.S. Mill argues that morality is based on a single principle he calls ‘The Principle of Utility’ or `The Greatest Happiness Principle.'. Roughly speaking, this is principle that the rightness or wrongness of an act is a entirely function of the happiness and unhappiness produced by it, ...
What is the principle of utility?
By the principle of utility is meant that principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever. according to the tendency it appears to have to augment or diminish the happiness of the party whose interest is in question: or, what is the same thing in other words to promote or to oppose that happiness.
What is the principle of utilitarianism?
What Are the Principles of Utilitarianism? Utilitarianism puts forward that it is a virtue to improve one's life better by increasing the good things in the world and minimizing the bad things. This means striving for pleasure and happiness while avoiding discomfort or unhappiness.
What is this principle of mill called?
Mill's Theory of Value and the Principle of Utility Mill defines “utilitarianism” as the creed that considers a particular “theory of life” as the “foundation of morals” (CW 10, 210). His view of theory of life was monistic: There is one thing, and one thing only, that is intrinsically desirable, namely pleasure.
What is the principle of utility example?
When individuals are deciding what to do for themselves alone, they consider only their own utility. For example, if you are choosing ice cream for yourself, the utilitarian view is that you should choose the flavor that will give you the most pleasure.
What is Mill's principle of liberty?
Mill's (1993: 78) liberty principle states that 'the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community against his will, is to prevent harm to others'.
What is the principle of utility according to Bentham?
By the principle of utility is meant that principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever. according to the tendency it appears to have to augment or diminish the happiness of the party whose interest is in question: or, what is the same thing in other words to promote or to oppose that happiness.
What is the principle of utility in what respects is Mill's conception of utilitarianism different from that of Bentham?
What are the main differences between Bentham and Mill's utilitarianism and which theory is better? Both thought that the moral value of an act was determined by the pleasure it produced. Bentham considered only quantity of pleasure, but Mill considered both quantity and quality of pleasure.
Who defined the principle of utility?
Jeremy Bentham – On the Principle of Utility – The Originals: Classic Readings in Western Philosophy.
Who proposed the principle of utility?
Jeremy BenthamFor instance, Jeremy Bentham, the founder of utilitarianism, described utility as "that property in any object, whereby it tends to produce benefit, advantage, pleasure, good, or happiness... [or] to prevent the happening of mischief, pain, evil, or unhappiness to the party whose interest is considered."
What is the principle of the greatest number by Mill?
The 'greatest happiness' part is a maximising principle: it enjoins people to act so as to maximise human happiness produced. But the 'of the greatest number' part is a principle of distribution: it enjoins people to act so as to spread happiness around as equally as possible.
What is the principle of utility?
Mill establishes the principle of utility by stating that “actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure. (Mill 77). Simply, acts that produce pleasure ...
Why is utilitarianism beneficial?
This can be beneficial, as utilitarianism seems to appeal to a broad spectrum of people due to the fact it prioritizes the interests of the many (Ben nett 56). It promotes impartiality and equality by saying that the happiness of one person is just as valuable as that of any other.
What is the greatest happiness principle?
Utility – The Greatest Happiness Principle. John Stuart Mill was one of the most crucial thinkers of the 19th century. He wrote on logic, economics, political philosophy, and religion. His work, Utilitarianism, provides a way of thinking that promised those who employ it to maximize their happiness. Mill’s text is well paired with the reading, ...
What is the principle of utility in utilitarianism?
Utilitarianism: The Basics. In Utilitarianism (1863), J.S. Mill argues that morality is based on a single principle he calls ‘The Principle of Utility’ or `The Greatest Happiness Principle.'.
What is John Stuart Mill's philosophy?
Vocabulary. Utilitarianism. Intrinsic Value. John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) is considered the most influential English-speaking philosopher of the nineteenth century. He defended the freedom of individuals against absolute state power. He was also an outspoken feminist, publishing The Subjection of Women in 1869 to promote equality between men ...
What is the difference between utility and disutility?
Utility is the property in an object, action, or other activity that produces pleasure . Disutility is the property that produces the opposite of pleasure (pain, boredom, frustration, etc). The goal of utilitarianism is to try to maximize utility, thereby creating the most good for the greatest number of people.
Who is James Mill?
In addition to being a philosopher, he was also a political economist and politician. Mill was a child prodigy, raised studying the tenets of utilitarian philosophy with his father (James Mill) and the founder of the movement ( Jeremy Bentham ). A central theme throughout Mill’s work is the notion that individuals should strive to improve ...
What is the greatest happiness principle?
The greatest happiness principle holds that we should pursue actions that produce the greatest amount of overall happiness. Crucially, utilitarians think we must take into account the utility of everyone (everything) affected by a given decision. We should maximize overall utility.
What is the difference between Bentham's and Mill's theory of utility?
There is a contrast between Mills and Bentham’s theory of Utility. Mill’s contain noble sentiments and impressive traits of thought about utility. He grounds his theory of utility in pressure and pain. Writers like Bentham maintained the theory of utility which is not meant to be contradistinguished from pleasure.
What is Bentham's theory of utility?
According to Bentham’s theory of utility he emphasized that there is need for equal weights. Bentham argued that individuals are the best judges of their own happiness. He had an automatic tangency to default non interference by government. He argued that individual’s actions often implicate the happiness of others. According to his theory, individuals may not have the incentive or the ability to coordinate concerted actions that improve comprehensive utility. Therefore, his obligation responded to the fact that there is no need to let people suffer.
What is Mill's conception of pressure and pain based on?
Therefore, Mill’s conception of pressure and pain is based on the fact that each has quantitative and qualitative components. In contrast, Bethany theory of utility argues on the point of quantity versus quality components of utility. Bentham’s argued that the assumption that human happiness is considered as achievement of pleasure and avoidance ...
Why is reallocation of income to complete equality desirable?
Therefore, the reallocation of income to complete equality is desirable as the utility loss of the rich is more than that compensated by utility gain of the poor. Mill's theory of Utility Mills tries to prove his theory as he argues that people desire to be happy from the daily happenings.
What does Mill argue about utilitarianism?
Mill argues that utilitarianism coincides with "natural" sentiments that originate from humans' social nature.
Why does Mill say that rights exist?
Mill explains at length that the sentiment of justice is actually based on utility, and that rights exist only because they are necessary for human happiness. The theory of utilitarianism has been criticized for many reasons.
What does Mill mean by happiness?
Mill defines happiness as pleasure and the absence of pain. He argues that pleasure can differ in quality and quantity, and that pleasures that are rooted in one's higher faculties should be weighted more heavily than baser pleasures.
How many chapters does Mill's essay have?
Mill's essay represents his attempt to respond to these criticisms, and thereby to provide a more complex and nuanced moral theory. Mill's argument comprises five chapters. His first chapter serves as an introduction to the essay. In his second chapter, Mill discusses the definition of utilitarianism, and presents some misconceptions about ...
What is the fourth chapter of the book of Mill?
The fourth chapter discusses methods of proving the validity of utilitarianism. In his fifth chapter, Mill writes about the connection between justice and utility, and argues that happiness is the foundation of justice. Next section Context.
What is utilitarianism? What is its purpose?
Utilitarianism, by John Stuart Mill, is an essay written to provide support for the value of utilitarianism as a moral theory, and to respond to misconceptions about it . Mill defines utilitarianism as a theory based on the principle that "actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness." Mill defines happiness as pleasure and the absence of pain. He argues that pleasure can differ in quality and quantity, and that pleasures that are rooted in one's higher faculties should be weighted more heavily than baser pleasures. Furthermore, Mill argues that people's achievement of goals and ends, such as virtuous living, should be counted as part of their happiness.
What does Mill argue about utilitarianism?
Correspondingly, Mill argues now that utilitarianism can leave room for the fact that happiness consists of the other experiences that people value. This idea of happiness as having "component parts" is an important expansion of the meaning of happiness by Mill.
What does Mill argue in Chapter 2?
Recall that in Chapter 2, Mill argued that pleasures that were based on one's higher faculties were of a higher quality, and should be weighted accordingly. In this way, he tried to expand the meaning of happiness to allow for different kinds of pleasure. In Chapter 4 Mill expands the meaning of happiness again.
How does Mill begin this chapter?
Mill begins this chapter by saying that it is not possible to prove any first principles by reasoning. How, then, can we know that utility is a foundational principle? The purpose of this chapter is to explore what should be required of utilitarianism in order for it to be believed as valid. Mill argues that the only proof that something is desirable is that people actually desire it. It is a fact that happiness is a good, because all people desire their own happiness. Thus, it is clear that happiness is at least one end, and one criterion, of morality.
What is Mill's view on happiness?
Mill argues that happiness is not an abstract idea, but a whole with component parts. Because virtue is a part of happiness, and promotes the general happiness, utilitarianism encourages the development of virtue. Anything that is desired beyond being a means to happiness is desired because it is part of happiness.
What is the objection to utilitarianism in Chapter 4?
A possible objection to utilitarianism is that certain experiences could be integral parts of a compound happiness, not merely a means to a pure, elemental happiness.
The Proof
- Mill’s argument appears in Chapter 4 of his essay Utilitarianism.Today it’s called Mill’s “proof,” although the name is misleading since he admits that the “considerations” he offers aren’t a tidy deduction. Mill’s argument consists of three steps, each meant to establish a different claim: 1. …
First Step
- In the first step, Mill writes that: “The only proof … that an object is visible, is that people actually see it. … In like manner, … the sole evidence … that anything is desirable, is that people do actually desire it.” One criticism of this step is that Mill overlooks the fact that while ‘visible’ means “capable of being seen,” to call something desirable means not that we can desire it but that we …
Second Step
- In the same paragraph, Mill turns to the second step: “No reason can be given why the general happiness is desirable, except that each person … desires his own happiness.” Elsewhere, Mill restates this step: “since A’s happiness is a good, B’s a good, C’s a good, &c., the sum of these goods must be a good.” Some critics have charged Mill with committing the “fallacy of composit…
Third Step
- In the third step, Mill argues that happiness is the only thing we desire for itself. This means that it’s the only thing for whose desirability in itself we have evidence. Someone might challenge Mill by saying that other things are valuable in themselves. On the surface, Mill’s strategy is to agree that people “do desire things which, in common language, are … distinguished from happiness”f…
Conclusion
- Perhaps, then, Mill’s “proof” doesn’t contain clumsy mistakes. At least Mill has some responses available to the critics who allege that it does. More work would be needed to judge whether the argument ultimately succeeds, and more work still to get from this principle to utilitarian morality, but Mill’s contribution shouldn’t be hastily dismissed.
Notes
- Mill 1969 [1861], 234–9. More specifically, this is true of the simplest form of the theory, which is sometimes called classical act utilitarianism. Some other versions of utilitarianism might apply the requirement to maximize happiness differently. For instance, rule utilitarianismsays that whether actions are right or wrong depends on whether they would be permitted or forbidden by …
For Further Reading
- Brink, David (2018). “Mill’s Moral and Political Philosophy.” In Edward N. Zalta (ed.), The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Related Essays
- Consequentialismby Shane Gronholz John Stuart Mill on The Good Life: Higher-Quality Pleasuresby Dale E. Miller “Can They Suffer?”: Bentham on our Obligations to Animalsby Daniel Weltman Happinessby Kiki Berk
About The Author
- Dale E. Miller is a Professor of Philosophy at Old Dominion University and the editor-in-chief of Utilitas. DrDaleEMiller.net