Friday

Introduction to Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill

• Jeremy Bentham

  • Considered the parent of modern utilitarianism in European philosophy.

  • Friends with John Stuart Mill's father, who was a strong advocate for utilitarianism.

• John Stuart Mill

  • Tasked by his father to continue propagating the principles of utilitarianism.

  • Received an intense upbringing focused on utilitarian philosophy.

  • Homeschooled from an early age; began learning Latin at age three.

  • The heavy emphasis on utilitarianism seemingly affected his mental health.

The Role of John Stuart Mill in Utilitarianism

• Mill's Historical Contribution

  • Became a significant voice for the second generation of utilitarianism.

  • Focused more on defending utilitarianism rather than simply reiterating Bentham’s vision.

  • Engaged in ongoing arguments against critiques of utilitarianism, primarily in his essays.

Structure of Mill's Essay

• The essay is structured around responses to critiques:

  • Format: Critique → Response (iterative)

  • The essay offers a straightforward presentation of critiques followed by Mill's rebuttals.

Critiques and Responses in Mill's Work

Critique 1: Utilitarianism is too hard

• Criticism: Critics argue that it is too demanding, requiring individuals to always consider the greater societal good over personal interest.

• Mill's Response:

  • Recognizes the challenge, asserting that all ethical systems require rigorous standards.

  • Claims it is part of the nature of ethics to be demanding and that the effort to do better is inherent in moral living.

Critique 2: Utilitarianism renders people cold and unsympathetic

• Criticism: Critics of utilitarianism claim it discourages emotional engagement, focusing exclusively on the cold calculus of pleasure and pain.

• Mill's Response:

  • Argues that this critique misrepresents utilitarianism's essence, which is about the quality of actions rather than the character of individuals.

  • A good ethical standard assesses actions based on their outcomes, not on the emotional biases associated with the person performing them.

Critique 3: Utilitarianism promotes only base pleasures

• Criticism: Outsiders suggest that utilitarianism reduces human aspirations to mere animalistic pleasure-seeking and devalues higher intellectual or moral pursuits.

• Mill's Response:

  • Contends that critics have a simplistic view of pleasure; human pleasures include complex and higher states that transcend mere physical delights.

  • Distinguishes between lower pleasures (e.g., sensory gratifications) versus higher pleasures (e.g., intellectual, moral, and emotional engagements).

  • Points out that higher pleasures require more from individuals, which makes them superior according to the utilitarian calculus.

Critique 4: Utilitarianism's Compatibility with Religion

• Criticism: Some believe that a utilitarian framework is incompatible with religious moral teachings, viewing it as a "godless" approach to ethics.

• Mill's Response:

  • Argues that if God desires the happiness of His creation, then utilitarianism aligns perfectly with divine will.

  • Posits that good actions should lead to the happiness of all, fulfilling the moral purpose that many religious doctrines espouse.

  • Suggests that utilitarianism acknowledges the moral teachings of God when interpreted in the context of promoting human welfare.

Boycotts as Ethical Decisions in Context

• Discusses consumer boycotts as an example of personal decisions having broader implications:

  • Highlights modern boycotts related to companies like Spotify, Target, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Amazon, and Shein for various ethical reasons.

  • Questions posed about whether personal purchase decisions are solely personal or if they reflect broader ethical obligations and responsibilities.

Practical Implications of Ethical Decisions

• Reflections on whether the percentage of ethical versus non-ethical decisions is accurately represented (Mill's claim of 1 out of 100 decisions being moral in nature):

  • Variability based on position and social responsibilities (e.g., parental responsibilities leading to more moral dilemmas).

  • Open debate about the applicability of Mill's ratios in modern contexts, considering individual circumstances and global connectedness.

Conclusion

• Emphasis on Mill's significant contributions to addressing critiques of utilitarianism; set the stage for continued exploration of his ideas, particularly regarding higher pleasures and their implications for ethical behavior.

Upcoming Topics in the Next Lecture

• Discussion on higher pleasures in depth and the nuances of Mill's arguments regarding quality of pleasure.

• Overview of the quiz covering key figures and concepts:

  • Kant, Mill, and applicable case studies (like films discussed in class).