Strengths Of John Mills Approach To Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism Essay
Fields, Vickie
Grand Canyon University: PHI-305
November 9, 2014
Utilitarianism Essay
Utilitarianism is a theory in ethics regarding actions that maximize utility. Utilitarianism is human- centered and has a foundation of morality. One could say this theory holds to happiness as the principle, at least that is what John Mill proposes. Mills is well known for being not only a great philosopher of his time, but also an advocate for utilitarianism, in so much that Mills believed and even improved upon Bentham’s views.
John Stuart Mill was the most famous and influential British philosopher of the nineteenth century (Clark, 2003). Mill felt that the foundation of morals, “utility” or the greatest happiness principle, …show more content…
The strengths of Mills approach to utilitarianism would be the fact of the only thing of substance or that matters is what happens in one’s life regardless of the intentions (Qizilbash, 2006). One weakness would be the proposal that one’s intentions do not matter or hold any substantial repercussions. One’s intentions can have a very negative affect on themselves but more important on other’s especially innocent by standers. One’s intentions could be of utmost importance to the good of the majority. Another strength of Mills approach is the fact that Mill considers emotions a form of great pleasure (Qizilbash, 2006). This point of the theory shows some impartiality. Mills also mentions general rules, which in turn would allow for the use of universal rules, and this is a strength for sure. In Mills approach one more weakness would be the ability for one to predict the outcome or consequences. More weaknesses than strengths exist in Mills approach, for instance, to get the greatest good for the greatest number can sometimes make the simplest of actions become immoral- for instance buying something for oneself that is not necessarily needed but none the less something desired, but if that money spent could have been spent elsewhere and been more beneficial to a greater number of people then one is considered immoral or acting immoral. Another weakness in Mills approach is a competent person will always pick a higher pleasure over a lower one …show more content…
J., & Poortenga, A. (2003). The story of ethics, Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall.
Peck, L. A. (2006). A “Fool Satisfied”? Journalists and Mill’s Principle of Utility.
Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, 61(2), 205-213
Qizilbash, M. (2006). Capability, Happiness and Adaption in Sen and J. S. Mill. Utilitas,
18(1), 20-32.doi:10.1017/SO953820805001809
Ring, L., Gross, C. R., & McColl, E. (2010, June). Putting the text back into context: toward increased use of mixed methods for quality of life research. Quality of Life Research. pp. 613-615. doi:
Fields, Vickie
Grand Canyon University: PHI-305
November 9, 2014
Utilitarianism Essay
Utilitarianism is a theory in ethics regarding actions that maximize utility. Utilitarianism is human- centered and has a foundation of morality. One could say this theory holds to happiness as the principle, at least that is what John Mill proposes. Mills is well known for being not only a great philosopher of his time, but also an advocate for utilitarianism, in so much that Mills believed and even improved upon Bentham’s views.
John Stuart Mill was the most famous and influential British philosopher of the nineteenth century (Clark, 2003). Mill felt that the foundation of morals, “utility” or the greatest happiness principle, …show more content…
The strengths of Mills approach to utilitarianism would be the fact of the only thing of substance or that matters is what happens in one’s life regardless of the intentions (Qizilbash, 2006). One weakness would be the proposal that one’s intentions do not matter or hold any substantial repercussions. One’s intentions can have a very negative affect on themselves but more important on other’s especially innocent by standers. One’s intentions could be of utmost importance to the good of the majority. Another strength of Mills approach is the fact that Mill considers emotions a form of great pleasure (Qizilbash, 2006). This point of the theory shows some impartiality. Mills also mentions general rules, which in turn would allow for the use of universal rules, and this is a strength for sure. In Mills approach one more weakness would be the ability for one to predict the outcome or consequences. More weaknesses than strengths exist in Mills approach, for instance, to get the greatest good for the greatest number can sometimes make the simplest of actions become immoral- for instance buying something for oneself that is not necessarily needed but none the less something desired, but if that money spent could have been spent elsewhere and been more beneficial to a greater number of people then one is considered immoral or acting immoral. Another weakness in Mills approach is a competent person will always pick a higher pleasure over a lower one …show more content…
J., & Poortenga, A. (2003). The story of ethics, Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall.
Peck, L. A. (2006). A “Fool Satisfied”? Journalists and Mill’s Principle of Utility.
Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, 61(2), 205-213
Qizilbash, M. (2006). Capability, Happiness and Adaption in Sen and J. S. Mill. Utilitas,
18(1), 20-32.doi:10.1017/SO953820805001809
Ring, L., Gross, C. R., & McColl, E. (2010, June). Putting the text back into context: toward increased use of mixed methods for quality of life research. Quality of Life Research. pp. 613-615. doi: