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Utilitarianism:
‘Utilitarianism’ is one of the types of
consequentialism.
Theoretical Framework of Utilitarianism:
Difficulties with:
: Individual rights
: Rights of minorities
J S Mill’s reply to some of theses criticism:
In chapter five of his work Utilitarianism, JS Mill argues that the
concept of justice can be derived from considerations of utility.
For him ‘…actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote
happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of
happiness’
(Greek philosopher Epicurus maintained the same hedonistic
view, but the key difference between Epicurus and Utilitarians is
that the utilitarians do not look toward an individual’s pleasure
whereas Epicurus give emphasis on individual’s happiness.)
• What is the difference between utilitarianism
and the view of Aristotle?
(for answer see page 77 and 78 of Stewart's book)
The difference between pleasure and happiness
can be used to answer this question.
It seems that they are same as pleasure
(Utilitarians insist on this ) could be seen as
bringing happiness (Aristotal insists on this).
• As Stewart argues, they are different. Here are the
differences:
Differences Between Pleasure and Happiness
: Pleasure is quantitative, pleasure is qualitative ;
: Happiness is a life long goal;
: Happiness require a cognitive judgment (use of
reason is essential for this);
: Pleasure is not essential to achieving happiness.
• Hedonistic and Ideal utilitarianism
• How does one measure pleasure?
• Bentham : focuses only on the quantity of
pleasure; Thus it is called hedonistic utilitarianism.
• J S Mill : There is an important difference in the
quality of various pleasure. He says pleasures of
the mind are superior to those of the physical
side of our body, and for quantitative distinction
Mill’s one is called Ideal utilitarianism.
Rule and Act Utilitarianism
• Bentham’s version of utilitarianism is called Act
Utilitarianism, and it involves some limitations as has been
mentioned above.