UTILITARIANISM CONSEQUENTIALISM J S MILL 1863 General Orientation

UTILITARIANISM CONSEQUENTIALISM J. S. MILL (1863)

General Orientation • No Absolute Or Universal Law • Presupposes Empirical Method Of Science • Influence Of Evolutionary And Sociological Thinking – Social Feelings For Humankind • Method For Making Moral Decisions

Foundations Epicurean Origins (4 th Century B. C. ) • Goal Of Human Life Is Happiness As Defined By Pleasure • Hierarchy Of Pleasures – Intellectual Over Sensory – Long Term Over Short Term – Intense Over Moderate – Pleasure Of The Many Over Pleasure Of The Few • Actions Are Good Or Bad Insofar As They Are Useful For Producing Pleasure Or Pain

Balancing The Outcomes • Weighing Burdens Against Benefits – Cost Vs. Benefits • “What Am I Willing To Endure In Order To Gain The Advantages I Seek? ” • Weighing Quality Of Pleasure Against Quantity Of Pleasure • Weighing The Outcome Of Values • Problem: Weighing Incommensurables

Major Principle • One Should Act So As To Maximize The Greatest Amount Of Pleasure For The Greatest Number Of Persons, Affected By The Action, Over The Longest Period Of Time, All Things Considered.

Difficulties • Weighing Incommensurables • Identifying The Spheres Of Influence Of Those Affected By The Action • Weighing The Intensity Of The Few (One) Against The Interests Of The Many • Identifying Values That Have Long Term Effects