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Utilitarianism theory
Applying philosophy to daily life
Utilitarianism for and against
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The Golden gospel’s rule "Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you" is a quote people live by as a representation of Utilitarianism. From that, Utilitarianism is an ethical philosophy created by John Stuart Mill in which the happiness of the greatest number of people in the society is considered the greatest good. Utilitarianism can also be looked at as an effort to provide an answer to the practical question “What ought a man to do?” Its answer is that he ought to act so as to produce the best consequences possible. Mill realized the importance of the Golden Rule in maintaining safe and useful relationships between members of society. The Golden gospel’s rule is compared to the standards of morality to dictate whether this statement actually …show more content…
At the checkout line, we try to find the shortest line so we can get out the door more quickly. We make most of our financial decisions on a utilitarian calculus of cost and benefits. These actions illustrate us trying to make the best decision for ourselves that have the most favorable outcome. Therefore, when these actions are done, happiness is an expected outcome. Whether it is for the greater good or the person who uses utilitarianism on an day to day basis. Furthermore, Aristotle's views on John Stuart Mill utilitarianism is very similar but differs in meaning. John Stuart Mill believes that pleasure and freedom from pain are what make up someone’s happiness. Aristotle, on the other hand believes that happiness comes from virtue. Both Mill and Aristotle believe that the end of the human being’s life is happiness. Happiness, however, takes a different meaning for both of them. Aristotle believes that it is living life in accordance to reason and Mill believe it is living life to achieve the highest pleasure and the least pain. Generally speaking, Aristotle and Mill understand the importance of happiness however they differ in the definition of
Mill grew up under the influences from his father and Bentham. In his twenties, an indication of the cerebral approach of the early Utilitarians led to Mill’s nervous breakdown. He was influential in the growth of the moral theory of Utilitarianism whose goal was to maximize the personal freedom and happiness of every individual. Mill's principle of utility is that “actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness”. Utilitarianism is the concept that a man should judge everything based on the ability to promote happiness for the greatest number of individual. He believes that Utilitarianism must show how the conversion can be made from an interest in one’s own particular bliss to that of others. John Stuart Mill also states that moral action should not be judged on the individual case but more along the lines of “rule of thumb” and says that individuals ought to measure the outcomes and settle on their choices in view of the consequence and result that advantages the most people. Mill believes that pleasure is the only wanted consequence. Mill supposes that people are gifted with the capacity for conscious thought, and they are not happy with physical delights, but rather endeavor to accomplish the joy of the psyche too. He asserts that individuals want pleasure and reject
Utilitarianism defined, is the contention that a man should judge everything based on the ability to promote the greatest individual happiness. In other words Utilitarianism states that good is what brings the most happiness to the most people. John Stuart Mill based his utilitarian principle on the decisions that we make. He says the decisions should always benefit the most people as much as possible no matter what the consequences might be. Mill says that we should weigh the outcomes and make our decisions based on the outcome that benefits the majority of the people. This leads to him stating that pleasure is the only desirable consequence of our decision or actions. Mill believes that human beings are endowed with the ability for conscious thought, and they are not satisfied with physical pleasures, but they strive to achieve pleasure of the mind as well.
In Utilitarianism, J.S. Mill gives an account for the reasons one must abide by the principles of Utilitarianism. Also referred to as the Greatest-happiness Principle, this doctrine promotes the greatest happiness for the greatest amount of people. More specifically, Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism, holding that the right act is that which yields the greatest net utility, or "the total amount of pleasure minus the total amount of pain", for all individuals affected by said act (Joyce, lecture notes from 03/30).
Simply defined, happiness is the state of being happy. But, what exactly does it mean to “be happy?” Repeatedly, many philosophers and ideologists have proposed ideas about what happiness means and how one attains happiness. In this paper, I will argue that Aristotle’s conception of happiness is driven more in the eye of ethics than John Stuart Mill. First, looking at Mill’s unprincipled version of happiness, I will criticize the imperfections of his definition in relation to ethics. Next, I plan to identify Aristotle’s core values for happiness. According to Aristotle, happiness comes from virtue, whereas Mill believes happiness comes from pleasure and the absence of pain. Ethics are the moral principles that govern a person’s behavior which are driven by virtues - good traits of character. Thus, Aristotle focuses on three things, which I will outline in order to answer the question, “what does it mean to live a good life?” The first of which is the number one good in life is happiness. Secondly, there is a difference between moral virtues and intellectual virtues and lastly, leading a good life is a state of character. Personally and widely accepted, happiness is believed to be a true defining factor on leading a well intentioned, rational, and satisfactory life. However, it is important to note the ways in which one achieves their happiness, through the people and experiences to reach that state of being. In consequence, Aristotle’s focus on happiness presents a more arguable notion of “good character” and “rational.”
John Stuart Mill (1808-73) believed in an ethical theory known as utilitarianism. There are many formulation of this theory. One such is, "Everyone should act in such a way to bring the largest possibly balance of good over evil for everyone involved." However, good is a relative term. What is good? Utilitarians disagreed on this subject.
Mill claims that morals find their root in Utility, otherwise called the Greatest Happiness Principle.(513) The essence of this is that actions are right in proportion to how much happiness results from them and wrong in proportion to how much they cause the reverse of it.(513) In defending this, he claims that in truth, every action we make, we decide based on this principle.(513) Thus, the best life to live is one that is the most filled with happiness, and has the least unhappiness in it.
John Stuart Mill claims that people often misinterpret utility as the test for right and wrong. This definition of utility restricts the term and denounces its meaning to being opposed to pleasure. Mill defines utility as units of happiness caused by an action without the unhappiness caused by an action. He calls this the Greatest Happiness Principle or the Principle of Utility. Mill’s principle states that actions are right when they tend to promote happiness and are wrong when they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. Happiness is defined as intended pleasure and the absence of pain while unhappiness is defined as pain and the lack of pleasure. Therefore, Mill claims, pleasure and happiness are the only things desirable and good. Mill’s definition of utilitarianism claims that act...
Utilitarianism Utilitarianism is mainly associated with the principle of Utility summarised by Jeremy Bentham, a social reformer, in 1768. This principle was to apply ‘the greatest good of the greatest number’ theory to all situations that may arise. This theory was that which is good is the act which provides the greatest amount of pleasure and the least amount of pain. This is a teleological theory as the action is determined by the consequences of the action, and not the purpose of the action.
There are many essays, papers and books written on the concept of right and wrong. Philosophers have theorized about moral actions for eons, one such philosopher is John Stuart Mill. In his book Utilitarianism he tries to improve on the theories of utilitarianism from previous philosophers, as he is a strong believer himself in the theory. In Mill's book he presents the ideology that there is another branch on the utilitarian tree. This branch being called rule-utilitarianism. Mill makes a distinction between two different types of utilitarianism; act-utilitarianism and rule-utilitarianism. Rule-utilitarianism seems like a major advance over the simple theory of act-utilitarianism. But for all its added complexity, it may not actually be a significant improvement. This is proven when looking at the flaws in act-utilitarianism and relating them to the ways in which rule-utilitarianism tries to overcome them. As well one must look at the obstacles that rule-utilitarianism has on it's own as a theory. The problems of both act and rule utilitarianism consist of being too permissive and being able to justify any crime, not being able to predict the outcomes of one's actions, non-universality and the lose of freewill.
In the realm of moral ethics, happiness is a key principle towards a self-fulfilling life. Inspired by the foundation of ethics since the days of Ancient philosopher such as Aristotle, Utilitarianism began at the rise of prominent British 19th-century thinkers of Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. Both thinkers of classical utilitarianism divide Utilitarianism analyzed today by as Act and Rule Utilitarianism. In short, Utilitarianism is subjected to its morality to be based of pleasure over pain principles as their unhappiness and happiness scale defined as “Greatest happiness for the greatest numbers.”1
The most important question of all is what should one do since the ultimate purpose of answering questions is either to satisfy curiosity or to decide which action to take. Complicated analysis is often required to answer that question. Beyond ordinary analysis, one must also have a system of values, and the correct system of values is utilitarianism.
In his essay, Utilitarianism Mill elaborates on Utilitarianism as a moral theory and responds to misconceptions about it. Utilitarianism, in Mill’s words, is the view that »actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.«1 In that way, Utilitarianism offers an answer to the fundamental question Ethics is concerned about: ‘How should one live?’ or ‘What is the good or right way to live?’.
This treatment lead to WWII and many other conflicts. The Golden Rule or treat other as you would like to be treated is an overall rule that can change the mindset of many. Most people think of only themselves and this rule opens their minds to understand others and opens their eyes to see that what they are doing can hurt. The Golden Rule also prevents violence and conflict with feeling the emotions or physical pain of the opposing side. These rules together shall create an equal, opinionated, and kind society.
In Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, truth and happiness are falsely engineered to create a perfect society; the belief of the World Controllers that stability is the the key to a utopian society actually led to the creation of an anti-utopian society in which loose morals and artificial happiness exist. Huxley uses symbolism, metaphors, and imagery to satirize the possibiliy of an artificial society in the future as well as the “brave new world” itself.
In “Utilitarianism,” John Stuart Mill emphasizes that the ethics of individuals and societal system are reflected in their moral value, such as happiness or pleasure. He argues that individuals only focus on maximizing their happiness in life by either preventing pain or attaining things that bring pleasure (May 46). From his utilitarian perspective, individuals pursue happiness through tangible items and valuable qualities because happiness is “the only thing desirable, as an end, [and] all other things being only desirable as means to that end” (May 50). Every individual’s behavior and decision is judged by the extent of happiness and its success in the promotion ...