Final answer:
According to John Stuart Mill's version of utilitarianism, the morality of throwing 5 people overboard to save 15 is not determined solely by a quantitative calculation. Mill emphasizes qualitative differences in pleasure and happiness, making the correct answer to the question False.
Step-by-step explanation:
Utilitarianism and Moral Dilemmas
John Stuart Mill's version of utilitarianism is a nuanced form of Jeremy Bentham's more straightforward principle of utility. Whereas Bentham's approach is purely quantitative, focusing on the balance of pleasure over pain for the greatest number, Mill introduced a qualitative distinction, differentiating between higher and lower pleasures.
In the hypothetical scenario where a boat will sink unless some individuals are sacrificed, Mill's utilitarianism requires a more complex analysis than a simple numerical comparison. According to Mill, the moral action is the one that maximizes the overall happiness of the greatest number, taking into account not only the quantity but also the quality of the happiness involved.
Therefore, it is not categorically true that Mill would find it permissible to throw 5 people overboard to save 15; the decision would depend on a variety of factors including the qualitative assessment of the happiness at stake.
In conclusion, the answer to whether it is morally permissible to throw 5 people overboard to save 15, according to Mill, is False. Mill's emphasis on higher pleasures introduces a level of complexity that precludes a simple quantitative calculation in dire moral situations. His approach involves considering the qualitative characteristics of happiness and the impartial and benevolent perspective of the decision-maker.