Utilitarianism Report

Utilitarianism by John Utilitarianism by John Stuart MillStuart Mill

By:By:

Atty. Christine P. CarpioAtty. Christine P. Carpio

References:References:

William F. Lawhead, William F. Lawhead, Philosophical Questions Philosophical Questions (Classic and Contemporary Readings), 1(Classic and Contemporary Readings), 1stst Edition, Edition, McGraw Hill Higher Education, 2003.McGraw Hill Higher Education, 2003.

David Lyons, David Lyons, Rights, Welfare and Mill’s Moral Rights, Welfare and Mill’s Moral Theory, Theory, Oxford University Press, 1994.Oxford University Press, 1994.

James Agarwal & David Cruise Malloy, James Agarwal & David Cruise Malloy, “The “The role of existentialism in ethical business role of existentialism in ethical business decision-making,” decision-making,” Business Ethics: A Business Ethics: A European Review, Vol. 9, Number 3, July 2000.European Review, Vol. 9, Number 3, July 2000.

Biography:Biography:

(1806-1873), born (1806-1873), born in London. One of in London. One of history’s greatest history’s greatest ethical and political ethical and political thinkers.thinkers.

made his living as made his living as an executive of a an executive of a trading firm in trading firm in London, writing London, writing philosophy on the philosophy on the side.side.

He was elected He was elected Parliament in 1865. Parliament in 1865.

Biography:Biography: His wife Harriet His wife Harriet

Taylor was a brilliant Taylor was a brilliant woman who had a woman who had a deep influence on deep influence on him and co-authored him and co-authored with him in many of with him in many of his most important his most important works. works.

While serving a term While serving a term in Parliament, Mill in Parliament, Mill unsuccessfully tried unsuccessfully tried to amend the Reform to amend the Reform Bill of 1867 to give Bill of 1867 to give women the vote. women the vote.

Biography:Biography: Furthermore, he Furthermore, he

published published The The Subjection of Women Subjection of Women in 1869 in which he in 1869 in which he argued for the political argued for the political empowerment of empowerment of women on utilitarian women on utilitarian grounds. grounds.

Mill died in Avignon, Mill died in Avignon, France, on May 8, France, on May 8, 1873 where he was 1873 where he was buried next to Harriet buried next to Harriet who had died earlier.who had died earlier.

Introduction to the theory of Introduction to the theory of utilitarianism and utilitarian utilitarianism and utilitarian

ethicsethics

It is based on the It is based on the theory that the theory that the right action is the right action is the one that produces one that produces the greatest the greatest amount of amount of happiness for the happiness for the greatest number greatest number of people. of people.

Summary of Utilitarianism Summary of Utilitarianism by John Stuart Millby John Stuart Mill

is an essay written is an essay written to provide support to provide support for the value of for the value of utilitarianism as a utilitarianism as a moral theory, and moral theory, and to respond to to respond to misconceptions misconceptions about it. about it.

Summary of Utilitarianism Summary of Utilitarianism by John Stuart Millby John Stuart Mill

It defines utilitarianism as a It defines utilitarianism as a theory based on the principle that theory based on the principle that "actions are right in proportion as "actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness." the reverse of happiness."

Mill defines happiness as pleasure Mill defines happiness as pleasure and the absence of pain. He and the absence of pain. He argues that pleasure can differ in argues that pleasure can differ in quality and quantity, and that quality and quantity, and that pleasures that are rooted in one's pleasures that are rooted in one's higher faculties (intellectual, higher faculties (intellectual, moral and aesthetic faculties) moral and aesthetic faculties) should be weighted more heavily should be weighted more heavily than pleasures of lower qualities than pleasures of lower qualities (i.e. animal pleasures). (i.e. animal pleasures).

Summary of Utilitarianism Summary of Utilitarianism by John Stuart Millby John Stuart Mill

Furthermore, Mill Furthermore, Mill argues that people's argues that people's achievement of goals achievement of goals and ends, such as and ends, such as virtuous living, should virtuous living, should be counted as part of be counted as part of their happiness. their happiness.

If society were to If society were to embrace utilitarianism embrace utilitarianism as an ethic, people as an ethic, people would naturally would naturally internalize these internalize these standards as morally standards as morally binding. binding.

Summary of Utilitarianism Summary of Utilitarianism by John Stuart Millby John Stuart Mill

Mill argues that Mill argues that happiness is the sole happiness is the sole basis of morality, and basis of morality, and that people never that people never desire anything but desire anything but happiness. happiness.

He supports this claim He supports this claim by showing that all the by showing that all the other objects of other objects of people's desire are people's desire are either means to either means to happiness, or included happiness, or included in the definition of in the definition of happiness. happiness.

Summary of Utilitarianism Summary of Utilitarianism by John Stuart Millby John Stuart Mill

Mill explains at Mill explains at length that the length that the sentiment of sentiment of justice is actually justice is actually based on utility, based on utility, and that rights and that rights exist only because exist only because they are necessary they are necessary for human for human happiness. happiness.

Chapter 1 General RemarksChapter 1 General Remarks

Very little progress has been made Very little progress has been made toward developing a set of standards by toward developing a set of standards by which to judge moral right and wrong. which to judge moral right and wrong. For more than two thousand years, For more than two thousand years, people have been attempting to people have been attempting to determine the basis of morality, but determine the basis of morality, but have not come any closer to consensus. have not come any closer to consensus.

The essay will provide a foundation to The essay will provide a foundation to identify morality as the concept of identify morality as the concept of utility utility

Chapter 2. What Utilitarianism Chapter 2. What Utilitarianism IsIs

Utility is the Greatest Happiness Principle. Utility is the Greatest Happiness Principle. This principle holds that "actions are right in This principle holds that "actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.” the reverse of happiness.”

Furthermore, Mill observes that even if the Furthermore, Mill observes that even if the possession of a "noble character" brought possession of a "noble character" brought less happiness to the individual, society less happiness to the individual, society would still benefit. Thus, because the would still benefit. Thus, because the greatest happiness principle considers the greatest happiness principle considers the total amount of happiness, a noble total amount of happiness, a noble character, even if it is less desirable for the character, even if it is less desirable for the individual, is still desirable by a utilitarian individual, is still desirable by a utilitarian standard.standard.

Chapter 2. What Utilitarianism Chapter 2. What Utilitarianism IsIs

The major sources of unhappiness are The major sources of unhappiness are selfishness and a lack of mental selfishness and a lack of mental cultivation. cultivation.

Thus, it is fully within most people's Thus, it is fully within most people's capabilities to be happy, if their capabilities to be happy, if their education nurtures the appropriate education nurtures the appropriate values. Furthermore, most of the evils values. Furthermore, most of the evils of the world, including poverty and of the world, including poverty and disease, can be alleviated by a wise disease, can be alleviated by a wise and energetic society devoted to their and energetic society devoted to their elimination. elimination.

Chapter 2. What Utilitarianism Chapter 2. What Utilitarianism IsIs

Mill admits that the willingness to Mill admits that the willingness to sacrifice one's happiness for others is sacrifice one's happiness for others is the highest virtue. Furthermore, he the highest virtue. Furthermore, he says that to maintain an attitude of says that to maintain an attitude of such willingness is actually the best such willingness is actually the best chance of gaining happiness, because chance of gaining happiness, because it will lead a person to be tranquil it will lead a person to be tranquil about his life and prospects. about his life and prospects.

However, sacrifice is not in itself good. However, sacrifice is not in itself good. It is good insofar as it promotes It is good insofar as it promotes happiness, but is not a good if it does happiness, but is not a good if it does not promote happiness. not promote happiness.

Chapter 2. What Utilitarianism Chapter 2. What Utilitarianism IsIs

The utilitarian's standard for judging an act The utilitarian's standard for judging an act is the happiness of all people, not of the is the happiness of all people, not of the agent alone. Thus, a person must not value agent alone. Thus, a person must not value his own happiness over the happiness of his own happiness over the happiness of others; and law and education must help to others; and law and education must help to instill this generosity in individuals. instill this generosity in individuals.

This does not mean that people's motives This does not mean that people's motives must only be to serve the greatest good; must only be to serve the greatest good; indeed, utilitarianism is not concerned with indeed, utilitarianism is not concerned with the motives behind an action; the morality the motives behind an action; the morality of an action depends on the goodness of its of an action depends on the goodness of its result. result.

Chapter 3. Of the Ultimate Chapter 3. Of the Ultimate Sanction of the Principle of Sanction of the Principle of

UtilityUtility Utilitarianism has or can impose all the Utilitarianism has or can impose all the

sanctions that other moral systems can. Mill sanctions that other moral systems can. Mill notes that there exist both external and notes that there exist both external and internal sanctions. internal sanctions. External sanctionsExternal sanctions exist externally to the human agent as an exist externally to the human agent as an individual (i.e. peer pressure, the fear of individual (i.e. peer pressure, the fear of their disapproval, the fear of his wrath. The their disapproval, the fear of his wrath. The second type of sanction, second type of sanction, internal internal sanctionssanctions, stems from one's conscience; , stems from one's conscience; these consist of feelings in one's own mind these consist of feelings in one's own mind which create discomfort when one violates which create discomfort when one violates duty. duty.

Chapter 3. Of the Ultimate Chapter 3. Of the Ultimate Sanction of the Principle of Sanction of the Principle of

UtilityUtility Internal sanctions provide the strongest Internal sanctions provide the strongest

influence over people's actions, hence influence over people's actions, hence utilitarianism must appeal to people's utilitarianism must appeal to people's inner sentiments in order to exercise a inner sentiments in order to exercise a binding force on them. binding force on them.

Thus, Mill argues that once general Thus, Mill argues that once general happiness becomes recognized as the happiness becomes recognized as the moral standard, natural sentiment will moral standard, natural sentiment will nurture feelings that promote nurture feelings that promote utilitarianism. utilitarianism.

Chapter 3. Of the Ultimate Chapter 3. Of the Ultimate Sanction of the Principle of Sanction of the Principle of

UtilityUtility Mill argues that Mill argues that

society could and society could and should nourish should nourish this natural this natural sentiment sentiment through through education and education and lawlaw. .

Chapter 4. Of What Sort of Proof Chapter 4. Of What Sort of Proof the Principle of Utility is Susceptiblethe Principle of Utility is Susceptible People only desire things that are People only desire things that are

part of happiness or a means to part of happiness or a means to happiness. happiness.

The only possible refutation that The only possible refutation that could legitimately be made is that could legitimately be made is that the moral will is something different the moral will is something different than physical or emotional desire; than physical or emotional desire; virtuous people carry out actions virtuous people carry out actions without thought of such pleasures. without thought of such pleasures.

Chapter 4. Of What Sort of Proof Chapter 4. Of What Sort of Proof the Principle of Utility is Susceptiblethe Principle of Utility is Susceptible

However, will However, will originates in originates in desire; desire;

Mill then says that Mill then says that it leaves it to the it leaves it to the "thoughtful reader" "thoughtful reader" whether what he whether what he has said is true. has said is true.

Chapter 5. On the Connection Chapter 5. On the Connection Between Justice and UtilityBetween Justice and Utility

Meaning of justice: Situations Meaning of justice: Situations (violation of legal rights, moral rights, (violation of legal rights, moral rights, obtaining something which he does obtaining something which he does not deserve, violating an agreement not deserve, violating an agreement with someone, showing favoritism in with someone, showing favoritism in appropriate circumstances)appropriate circumstances)

Justice is actually grounded on utility.Justice is actually grounded on utility.

Chapter 5. On the Connection Chapter 5. On the Connection Between Justice and UtilityBetween Justice and Utility

The sentiment of retribution becomes a The sentiment of retribution becomes a moral one if it occurs when not only an moral one if it occurs when not only an individual is wronged, but when society in individual is wronged, but when society in general is wronged. general is wronged.

Rights represent the most basic social Rights represent the most basic social utilities necessary for human well-being; utilities necessary for human well-being; human culture cannot flourish if society human culture cannot flourish if society does not protect individual rights. Thus, does not protect individual rights. Thus, rights are fundamental to the greatest rights are fundamental to the greatest happiness principle (utility), since they must happiness principle (utility), since they must be protected for people to be able to enjoy be protected for people to be able to enjoy anything else. anything else.

Chapter 5. On the Connection Chapter 5. On the Connection Between Justice and UtilityBetween Justice and Utility

As Mill admits, grounding rights in As Mill admits, grounding rights in utility implies that if there are more utility implies that if there are more pressing utility concern, rights could pressing utility concern, rights could be violated. be violated.

However, since utilitarianism is However, since utilitarianism is concerned with total happiness, it does concerned with total happiness, it does seem possible that there is room for seem possible that there is room for violation of the rights of an individual violation of the rights of an individual in the interest of aggregate good. in the interest of aggregate good.

Chapter 5. On the Connection Chapter 5. On the Connection Between Justice and UtilityBetween Justice and Utility

One must thus ask One must thus ask whether utility whether utility provides sufficient provides sufficient protection for the protection for the individual. Mill individual. Mill would argue that would argue that the protection the the protection the theory does theory does provide, small as it provide, small as it may be, is the only may be, is the only protection that can protection that can be justified. be justified.

Use of Utilitarian Theory in Use of Utilitarian Theory in Ethical Decision-making Ethical Decision-making

processprocess Identification of the problem;Identification of the problem; The generation of alternatives;The generation of alternatives; The quantitative evaluation of The quantitative evaluation of

alternatives;alternatives; Selection and implementation of the Selection and implementation of the

“best alternative.”“best alternative.” Evaluation of the decision.Evaluation of the decision.

Comment:Comment:

The impact of utilitarian decisions The impact of utilitarian decisions upon the individual or minority upon the individual or minority presents a further problem.presents a further problem.

If the greatest good for the greatest If the greatest good for the greatest number results in the obfuscation or number results in the obfuscation or outright denial of individual rights, outright denial of individual rights, the use of the utilitarianism as an the use of the utilitarianism as an exclusive theoretical outlook may not exclusive theoretical outlook may not be acceptable to whose rights are be acceptable to whose rights are denied.denied.

Resolution:Resolution: Existentialism as a school of thought Existentialism as a school of thought

may be utilized together with the may be utilized together with the utilitarian theory to solve the dilemma utilitarian theory to solve the dilemma in the ethical decision-making process;in the ethical decision-making process;

Existentialism is defined as the belief in Existentialism is defined as the belief in the freedom of the individual to create the freedom of the individual to create his or her “essence.” The individual’s his or her “essence.” The individual’s existence precedes from essence. This existence precedes from essence. This implies that we first exist as humans implies that we first exist as humans and then become whom we decide to and then become whom we decide to be through our free will or choice.be through our free will or choice.

Use of Utilitarian Theory and Use of Utilitarian Theory and Existentialism in Ethical Decision-making Existentialism in Ethical Decision-making

process:process: Identification of the problem;Identification of the problem; The generation of alternatives;The generation of alternatives; The quantitative evaluation of The quantitative evaluation of

alternatives;alternatives; Selection and implementation of the Selection and implementation of the

“best alternative.”“best alternative.” Evaluation of the performance of this Evaluation of the performance of this

decision. This represents commitment decision. This represents commitment and personal accountabilityand personal accountability

Use of Utilitarian Theory and Use of Utilitarian Theory and Existentialism in Ethical Existentialism in Ethical

Decision-making process:Decision-making process:

Regardless of the evaluation of the Regardless of the evaluation of the decision, the experience of decision decision, the experience of decision making and the subsequent making and the subsequent existential and teleological analysis existential and teleological analysis of behavior contributes to the sum of of behavior contributes to the sum of experience that makes up an experience that makes up an individual’s essence.individual’s essence.

Thank you!Thank you!