Utilitarianism and John Stuart Mill

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to utilitarianism and the philosophies of John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham.

Utilitarianism

A philosophical theory that suggests the best action is the one that maximizes utility, generally defined as happiness or well-being.

Hedonism

The philosophical idea that pleasure or happiness is the highest good and proper aim of human life.

Act Utilitarianism

The version of utilitarianism that assesses actions based on their consequences, aiming to produce the most happiness or utility.

Higher Pleasures

Pleasures associated with intellectual or moral pursuits, as distinguished from lower pleasures which are more physical and immediate.

Lower Pleasures

Basic pleasures associated with physical sensations, such as eating, drinking, and sex, contrasted with higher pleasures.

Bentham's Calculus

A method proposed by Jeremy Bentham to measure and quantify pleasure and pain to determine the best course of action.

John Stuart Mill

An influential philosopher and economist, known for his works on utilitarianism and his contributions to liberalism and women's rights.

The Principle of Utility

The core principle in utilitarianism that states actions are right if they promote happiness and wrong if they produce the opposite.

Impartiality

The ethical perspective of considering the interests of all individuals equally, a key component of utilitarian moral reasoning.

Peter Singer

A contemporary philosopher and advocate for animal rights whose work has extended utilitarian principles to animal welfare.