In-Depth Notes on Bentham, Mill, and Utilitarianism Concepts 4/23

Introduction to the Panopticon

• A concept of a prison designed by Jeremy Bentham.
• Structure: Circular prison with a guard tower at the center.
• The guard can see all prisoners, but prisoners cannot see the guard, instilling a sense of constant surveillance.
• Rationale: Uncertainty about being watched ensures prisoners behave well.
• Modern context: Discussion about effectiveness due to surveillance technology (e.g., CCTV).

Jeremy Bentham

• Bentham's vision was to reform society and individuals, famously stating that the prison was a “mill for grinding criminals into honest people.”
• Although some prototypes were built, the technology to effectively conceal the guard was lacking in the 1800s.
• Fun fact: Bentham requested to be mummified and displayed after his death.
• His mummified body remains on display at University College London, showcasing Bentham's unusual personal requests.

John Stuart Mill

• Bentham’s contemporary and collaborator, who was initially raised under strict educational conditions by his father, James Mill.
• Mill demonstrated exceptional intellectual capabilities from a young age.
• Struggled with depression in his early adulthood, leading him to reflect on happiness and fulfillment.
• Developed his own utilitarian philosophy, defending and building upon Bentham’s ideas.

Utilitarianism and Happiness

• Mill posits that the ultimate aim of human existence is happiness.
• Defines happiness in terms of pleasure and the absence of pain.
• Introduces the concept of "higher" and "lower" pleasures, arguing that intellectual and moral pleasures (higher) are superior to mere bodily pleasures (lower).
• Uses the term "Eudaimonia" to discuss human flourishing and ultimate happiness.

Quantifying Happiness

• Bentham attempted to measure pleasure and pain through a system he called the “hedonic calculus.”
• Criticized for oversimplifying complex human experiences by quantifying actions based on intensity and duration.
• Suggested pleasure units called “Edons” and pain units called “Dolores.”

Critiques of Utilitarianism

• Critics argue utilitarianism can justify morally unacceptable actions (e.g. sacrificing one for the many).
• The philosophical thought experiment that illustrates this concept is the 'Trolley Problem' – making decisions based on outcomes rather than individual rights.
• Judith Thomson's organ donation scenario emphasizes the ethical dilemmas within utilitarian decision-making.

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas

• A thought experiment by Ursula K. Le Guin presenting a utopian society, where happiness is dependent on the suffering of a single child.
• Raises questions about moral sacrifices in the name of collective happiness and challenges the ethical implications of utilitarianism.
• The citizens experience bliss at the cost of one tortured child, prompting individuals to reflect on humanitarian ethics and the limits of utilitarian logic.

Conclusion

• Comparison of animal vs. human pleasures, questioning what it truly means to lead a “happy life.”
• Mill argues that the pursuit of higher pleasures is fundamentally part of being human and highlights the depth of human capacity for happiness beyond mere sensory satisfaction.