Principle of Utility in Ethics

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Questions and Answers

What is the foundation of the present work based on?

Principle of equality

Principle of justice

Principle of utility (correct)

Principle of freedom

How does the principle of utility judge actions?

Based on their cost-effectiveness

Based on their popularity

Based on their impact on happiness (correct)

Based on their impact on the environment

What is utility primarily associated with in the text?

Producing pain and evil

Producing confusion and chaos

Producing benefit and happiness (correct)

Producing dishonesty and corruption

How does the principle of utility apply to government policies according to the text?

It applies to government policies in addition to individual actions Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of promoting utility according to the text?

To promote happiness in either the community or specific individuals Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main concerns Mill has about direct democracy?

It excludes educated individuals from decision-making Signup and view all the answers

What is one of Mill's proposals to prevent excessive financial influence in politics?

Imposing limits on campaign expenditures Signup and view all the answers

According to Mill, what is the rationale behind not paying members of the government?

To ensure government officials focus on their civic duty Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key features of Mill's proposal for voting in elections?

Voting should be done openly Signup and view all the answers

What does Mill suggest regarding the qualifications of ordinary citizens in direct democracy?

They lack the expertise and knowledge for complex political matters Signup and view all the answers

What does Mill propose regarding limiting the influence of money in politics?

Imposing limits on campaign expenditures Signup and view all the answers

What does Marx argue about the transformation of human societies in his theory of history?

Material life plays a primary role in transforming human history. Signup and view all the answers

Which concept emphasizes the interplay between material conditions and non-material aspects like politics and ideology?

Synchronic Materialism Signup and view all the answers

In Marx's Base/Superstructure metaphor, what does the 'base' of society primarily consist of?

Relations of production Signup and view all the answers

Which class is characterized by owning all labor power but none of the means of production?

Proletarian Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Effective Ownership' refer to in Marx's theory?

Physical possession over resources Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized in synchronic materialism when analyzing a society at a specific point in time?

Material conditions and political structures Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect limits the possibilities of non-material life according to Marx?

Material life Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the Independent Producer class?

Ownership of labor power but not means of production Signup and view all the answers

'De facto ownership' refers to:

'Effective' ownership without legal title Signup and view all the answers

'Slave - none of both, Serf - some LP and some MOP, Proletarian - all LP and no MOP' refers to:

'Labor Power' distribution across different classes Signup and view all the answers

According to Mill, what is the preference for intellectual pursuits over base pleasures known as?

Higher and Lower Pleasures Theory Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 conditions that must be present according to the general conception of exploitation?

Treating one as a tool, compromising core human capacities, and benefiting oneself Signup and view all the answers

What concept does Marx associate with the idea of treating someone as a means only?

Exploitation Signup and view all the answers

What is the key requirement to qualify for Mill's 'Informed Preference Test'?

Experiencing the pleasures being compared Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the term 'Alienate' in the context of the text?

To isolate or estrange from society Signup and view all the answers

What does Mill suggest about the relationship between societal rules and the principle of utility when they conflict?

The principle of utility should take precedence Signup and view all the answers

According to the perfectionist interpretation, what does Marx believe is our distinctive human excellence?

Capacity for freely creative co-operative production Signup and view all the answers

In Mill's 'Harm Principle', what is the criterion for justifying coercive intervention?

Harm caused to others Signup and view all the answers

What is one aspect of alienation according to Marx as mentioned in the text?

Alienated from nature Signup and view all the answers

What concept does Mill reject by stating 'Nothing other than happiness is desirable'?

Virtue as an instrumental benefit Signup and view all the answers

In the context of exploitation, what action epitomizes the idea of utilizing someone as a tool?

The slave owner relationship Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests that one should follow rules that maximize overall happiness instead of evaluating each action individually?

'Greatest Good for Greatest Number' Theory Signup and view all the answers

What does Mill emphasize about individual freedom in his 'On Liberty' text?

'Individuals should have the liberty to live their lives as they see fit' Signup and view all the answers

'Act Utilitarianism' involves directly applying utilitarianism to ________.

Individual actions Signup and view all the answers

'Rule Utilitarianism' derives rules from what principle to promote overall happiness?

'Principle of Utility' Signup and view all the answers

What is Mill's view on the necessity of coercion according to the 'Harm Principle'?

Coercion should only be used to prevent harm to others. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Marx's Theory of History

Human beings have basic material needs that must be met, such as shelter, water, food, and clothing, before they can receive any political or intellectual form of life.
Marx argues that material life is what transforms human history, contrary to Hegel's idea that the realm of ideas is the primary driver of change.
Marx's theory of history emphasizes the importance of material conditions and their impact on non-material aspects of society, such as politics and ideology.

Synchronic Materialism

Synchronic materialism involves analyzing society at a specific moment in time, like taking a snapshot of a slave society or a feudal or capitalist system.
This approach highlights the interplay between material conditions and non-material aspects of society.
Material life also limits the possibilities of non-material life, as illustrated by the base-superstructure metaphor.

Base-Superstructure Metaphor

Relations of production involve the relationships between:
- People and other people (e.g., slave owner and slave)
- People and productive forces (e.g., ownership and control over means of production)
Effective ownership refers to the ability to control and utilize something or someone.
Examples of ownership positions include:
- Slave: none of both labor power and means of production
- Serf: some labor power and some means of production
- Proletarian: all labor power and no means of production
- Independent producer: all labor power and all means of production

Productive Forces

Productive forces include:
- Instruments of production (e.g., tools and machines)
- Raw materials
- Labor power (the productive faculties of producing agents)
The base of society refers to the entire set of relations of production.
The superstructure includes legal and political institutions, as well as other aspects of society.

Mill's Utilitarianism

Mill argues that happiness is desirable, and the greatest happiness is desirable, and that nothing other than happiness is desirable.
He provides an empirical proof of the principle of utility, which involves three stages:
1. Happiness is desirable
2. The greatest happiness is desirable
3. Nothing other than happiness is desirable
Mill's argument is challenged by the "is-ought" fallacy, which questions whether people ought to desire happiness simply because they often pursue it in their actions.

The "Proof" of the Principle of Utility

Stage 1: Happiness is desirable (Mill argues that happiness is desirable by appealing to empirical evidence)
Stage 2: The greatest happiness is desirable (Mill emphasizes impartiality and the consideration of everyone's happiness equally)
Stage 3: Nothing other than happiness is desirable (Mill rejects the notion that virtue or other goods can be intrinsically desired apart from their contribution to happiness)

Central Issue #3 - Justice and Utilitarianism

Act utilitarianism involves directly applying utilitarianism to individual actions, evaluating each action based on its consequences and the principle of maximizing overall happiness.
Rule utilitarianism suggests that instead of evaluating each action individually, one should follow rules or principles that, when universally applied, maximize happiness.
Mill is often interpreted as an act utilitarian, but he also acknowledges the importance of customary morality or secondary rules in guiding behavior.

On Liberty

The Harm/Liberty Principle emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and autonomy, arguing that individuals should have the liberty to live their lives as they see fit, without interference from others or from the state, as long as their actions don't harm others.
The principle sets limits on the authority of society and government to intervene in the lives of individuals, and focuses on harm to others as the criterion for justifying coercive intervention.

Marx's Proposals

System of "checks and balances" to divide government powers among different branches and prevent the concentration of power in one authority.
Limits on campaign expenditures to prevent excessive financial influence in politics.
Members of government should not be paid, as this aligns with the notion of civic duty.
Open vote (rather than secret ballot) to promote transparency and accountability.
Exclude some individuals from voting (e.g., those who can't read or write) and give extra votes to the well-educated.

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Description

Explore the concept of the principle of utility in ethics, which judges actions based on their impact on happiness. Learn how this principle applies not only to individual actions but also to government policies.