5 pg philosophy paper On kant and mill

John Stuart Mill (Progressive Philosopher of the 19th Century)

Women’s Rights, Prison Reform, Against Capital Punishment, Against Animal Cruelty, Against Slavery.

Developed the philosophy known as Utilitarianism

Utility Principle: Actions are good only if maximize or TEND to maximize pleasure AND minimize pain or TEND to minimize pain

Every decision requires calculating if it increases utility and follows the utility principle.

Utilitarianism is a democratic principle in that it takes each individual’s happiness or utility into account equally with others.

Utility Calculus is a global principle: it attempts to increase across the board everyone’s happiness or limit their pain. Utilitarianism in many respects is for the greater good.

Pleasure, Utility, or Happiness are not just about bodily pleasure or contentment. There are levels of pleasure or happiness. Higher Pleasures like Freedom and Intellect. We don’t feel these pleasures but we wouldn’t do without them. They are more dynamic and rich compared to lower, bodily pleasures.

Act Utilitarianism vs. Rule Utilitarianism

Act: Each act must be calculated for immediate consequences

Rule: Assume Rules that by experience TEND to maximize pleasure and limit pain [Problem of Hero or Martyr]

Problem: What is the scope of the future? How far do we have to look into the future to calculate?

Unlike Kant, no acts or rules are in-themselves good or bad; the only thing that makes an act or rule good are the consequences. Ends justify the means. [Example of Business ethics: advertisement, organ selling, etc.]

Mill is against Kant; he thinks Kant is too abstract and general. Our ethical motives are NOT by duty (i.e. categorical imperative). Happiness and moral action must be concurrent for Mill. Mill argues that experience and consequences, prediction, science, psychology, etc. should be used to promote utility.

Intensity of pleasure vs. long-term pleasures (example of an animal’s life)

Also, individual good vs. General utility (public good); aren’t individuals making up the public good (example of recidivism)

Mill may allow for people to be used as a means to an end (greater utility); but each individual’s happiness is EQUAL to another’s.

Animals feel pain so they matter for Mill.