Question

John Stuart Mill: Ethics

picture of MillThe ethical theory of John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) is most extensively articulated in his classical text Utilitarianism (1861). Its goal is to justify the utilitarian principle as the foundation of morals. This principle says actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote overall human happiness. So, Mill focuses on consequences of actions and not on rights nor ethical sentiments.

This article primarily examines the central ideas of his text Utilitarianism, but the article’s last two sections are devoted to Mill’s views on the freedom of the will and the justification of punishment, which are found in System of Logic (1843) and Examination of Sir William Hamilton’s Philosophy (1865), respectively.

Educated by his father James Mill who was a close friend to Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill came in contact with utilitarian thought at a very early stage of his life. In his Autobiography he claims to have introduced the word "utilitarian" into the English language when he was sixteen. Mill remained a utilitarian throughout his life. Beginning in the 1830s he became increasingly critical of what he calls Bentham’s "theory of human nature". The two articles "Remarks on Bentham’s Philosophy" (1833) and "Bentham" (1838) are his first important contributions to the development of utilitarian thought. Mill rejects Bentham’s view that humans are unrelentingly driven by narrow self-interest. He believed that a "desire of perfection" and sympathy for fellow human beings belong to human nature. One of the central tenets of Mill’s political outlook is that, not only the rules of society, but also people themselves are capable of improvement.
What are the key features of Mill's happiness principle?

Answer 1

John Stuart Mill's happiness principle includes the principle of utility, a focus on consequences, and the belief in the improvement of individuals and society.

Step-by-step explanation:

The key features of John Stuart Mill's happiness principle are:

1. The principle of utility: According to Mill, actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness and wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. The principle of utility states that actions should aim to maximize overall human happiness.
2. Focus on consequences: Mill's ethical theory emphasizes the importance of considering the consequences of actions. The morality of an action is determined by its ability to promote happiness for the greatest number of people.
3. Improvement of individuals and society: Mill believed that not only society but also individuals themselves are capable of improvement. He argued that humans have a desire for perfection and sympathy for fellow human beings, which can contribute to overall happiness.