Study Questions 5

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Southwest Tennessee Community College *

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PHIL-1040

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Philosophy

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Dec 6, 2023

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pdf

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1. What does Mill mean by utilitarianism? On what theory of life is utilitarian ethical doctrine grounded? Mill describes utilitarianism as a system in which the right ethical actions are the ones that produce the most happiness, and the wrong ones are the ones that produce pain. Utilitarianism is grounded in a life theory called hedonism. 2. How does Mill respond to the objection that pleasure-based morality is "swinish"? What is his doctrine concerning lower and higher pleasures, and how does he defend it? Mill responds to the objection that pleasure-based morality is “swinish” by arguing if that was the case, then people would only be capable of performing and engaging in “swinish” pleasures. Mill further argues that a person’s happiness is more complex than just a simple baseline. He furthers this argument by saying that a person will always choose higher pleasures, mental happiness, than lower pleasures because it will bring deeper happiness. 3. According to Mill, why is nobleness of character important for utilitarian ethics? Nobleness of character is important for utilitarian ethics because being noble not only brings happiness to you but everyone else as well. 4. How does Mill respond to the objection that genuine human happiness is impossible? Mill argues that genuine human happiness is possible depending on what is considered happiness to the individual. 5. How does Mill respond to the objection that true moral heroism consists in self- renunciation (i.e., sacrificing one's own happiness)? Mill argues that genuine moral heroism consists of self-renunciation only if it is necessary for the overall happiness of everyone. 6. What is the ideal of impartiality that Mill's utilitarianism embraces? How can this ideal best be approached in human society? The ideal of impartiality that Mill embraces is the idea that we must care about the good we do for the overall people not just certain people. This is because when we only ficus on the good we do for certain people it takes away from the overall good that is going to be missed or not taken care of. 7. How does Mill respond to the objection that utilitarianism sets too demanding a standard of morality? Mill argues that utilitarianism isn’t too demanding if limitations are put done. 8. How does Mill respond to the objection that utilitarianism is irreligious? Mill argues that utilitarianism is not necessarily irreligious depending on what a person's idea of what God’s will is.

9. How does Mill respond to the objection that utilitarianism requires the sacrifice of principle to expediency? Mill responds to the argument that utilitarianism requires the sacrifice of principle to expediency by saying that acting against societal norms is an enemy of morality. 10. How does Mill respond to the objection that utilitarianism is impractical because nobody can take time to weigh probable consequences for general happiness of every action before acting? Mill argues that this is incorrect and follows up with an example saying that if that’s the case then people cannot use Christianity because you can’t read the bible every time there must be a decision made.

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