Overview
NOTE: This OD is based on the Mill reading titled Utilitarianism – Chapter 2 (Cahn, 8E, pp. 1189-1200). If you are using the access text, go to the table of contents, look for John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism.
- What does Mill mean when he says that the “greatest happiness principle” is the foundation of Morals? (4 points)
- Does Mill say that some kinds of pleasure are more desirable and more valuable than others? If so, what kinds? How do you tell which pleasures are more desirable? (4 points)
- What is Mill’s reply to the objection that the greatest happiness principle is a “swinish” doctrine? (4 points)
- Who, according to Mill, have the greatest chance of having their desires satisfied? Why is that so? (4 points)
- According to Mill, which counts higher, quantity or quality of pleasure? Why is that so for Mill? (4 points)
- What are some of the objections raised against Mill’s utilitarianism, and how does Mill respond to each of these objections? Be sure to discuss in this number at least 3 such objections. To do this number, you need to state as clearly as possible the objection (or at least the point of the objection) and immediately after the objection, state as clearly as possible the reply of mill to the said objection. (10 points)