Utilitarianism: The Ethical Theory

Utilitarianism

• An ethical theory emphasizing the goodness of pleasure and the determination of right action based on the usefulness of its consequences.
• This theory suggests that pleasure is good, and an action's goodness is measured by its usefulness.
• Actions are considered good if they bring the greatest pleasure and least pain to the greatest number of people.
• The theory's root word "utility" refers to the usefulness of an action's consequences.

Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill

• Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill are considered the foremost utilitarian thinkers.

The Principle of Utility

• Bentham argues that our actions are governed by two "sovereign masters": pleasure and pain.
• These masters guide us in determining what is good or bad and what should be done or not done.
• The principle of utility encompasses our subjection to these masters.
• It suggests that our actions are motivated by avoiding pain and seeking pleasure.
• It also states that pleasure is good only if it produces more happiness than unhappiness.
• Bentham equates happiness with pleasure.
• Mill supports Bentham's principle, reiterating that moral good is happiness and happiness is pleasure.
• Mill clarifies that intended pleasure leads to happiness, while the privation of pleasure causes unhappiness.
• Good things produce happiness and pleasure, while bad things produce unhappiness and pain.

Dimensions of Pleasure and Pain

• According to Mill, actions should be evaluated considering three dimensions: intensity, duration, and fecundity (chance of being followed by sensations of the opposite kind).
• Extent refers to the number of people affected by the pleasure or pain.
• Bentham suggests that pleasure and pain can only be measured quantitatively and not qualitatively.
• Mill disagrees with Bentham's single scale of pleasure and argues that pleasures should be distinguished qualitatively.
• He argues that there are higher intellectual pleasures and lower base pleasures, with humans being capable of seeking and desiring higher intellectual pleasures.

Quality vs. Quantity of Pleasure

• Mill believes that quality is more important than quantity when it comes to pleasure.
• Excess of even pleasurable things can lead to pain.
• The test for determining which of two pleasures is preferable is to experience both and discover which one is actually more preferred.

Greatest Happiness Principle

• Utilitarianism emphasizes the pursuit of not just individual pleasure, but also the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people affected by our actions.
• This principle promotes the idea that moral good involves considering everyone's happiness, including our own, when evaluating moral actions.
• It is not about satisfying only ourselves and excludes selfish acts.
• Utilitarianism advocates for maximizing total pleasure over displeasure for the greatest number of people.
• The focus lies on the best consequence for the highest number of people and not the intention of the person acting.

Justice and Moral Rights

• Mill defines justice as respecting rights, aligning with society's pursuit of the greatest happiness of the greatest number.
• Rights are valid claims on society justified by utility.
• Rights are related to interests that serve general happiness, like the right to due process, free speech, and religion.
• These rights contribute to the general good and make society happier.
• Utilitarians are also strong advocates for animal rights, as these rights contribute to overall happiness.
• Justification for rights originates from the principle of utility, where they produce more happiness than their implementation.

Mill's View on Justice

• While Mill believes justice promotes the greater social good, he recognizes situations where individual rights might be overridden for the sake of greater happiness.
• He argues that this is only justifiable if the act produces more happiness than unhappiness.
• Justice is not an absolute concept, but rather justified by its consequences in promoting the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Summary

• Both Bentham and Mill believe that moral good is pleasure, pursuing not just self-gratification, but also the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people.
• They advocate for actions that increase pleasure and decrease pain for the most number of people.
• Bentham proposes the felicific calculus, a framework for quantifying moral valuation, while Mill offers criteria for comparing different types of pleasures.
• Mill supports rights, arguing that they are socially protected interests justified by their contribution to the greatest happiness principle.
• He acknowledges that in extreme situations, individual rights can be overridden to prioritize general welfare.

Explore the foundations of Utilitarianism, an ethical theory that emphasizes pleasure and the usefulness of actions' consequences. Discover the insights of key thinkers Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, and understand how the principle of utility guides moral decisions based on pleasure and pain.