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John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism

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In ethics, a popular notion of what is able to provide the most good in regards to decision making without having to overthink problems is the theory of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism’s assertion is to conduct the action which maximizes the well being of sentient beings. Delving into this deeper, philosopher John Stuart Mill advocated utilitarianism as a means that which could provide the greatest possibility of happiness arising in situational circumstances put forth. Philosopher Bernard Williams would argue with this notion as utilitarianism does seem pleasing to solve ethical situations, however, does prove to have complications within the theory. Utilitarianism coaxes an agent to decide for the greatest happiness for all affected as the …show more content…

To clarify his point further, actions are to be considered just or morally correct if the purposes of the action evoke happiness either to one or many persons as it is intrinsically good without question. The same is for the contrary such as if actions evoke unhappiness to one or many persons, then they are to be considered morally wrong or unjust. Examining deeper into the facets of happiness and unhappiness, happiness would invoke something such as pleasure, which would give to higher pleasures and considered intrinsically good whereas unhappiness would promote …show more content…

This is a rebuttal to the idea of seeking pleasure in order to be considered ethically right as it argues that this seems somewhat selfish. Mill, however, argues that in receiving two kinds of pleasure, physical representing lower pleasures and intellectual representing higher pleasures, the intellectual pleasure is what separates us from swine or other non-human animals as these pleasures are concretely human-oriented actions and feelings and are thus, more desirable by us. In Chapter IV: Of What Sort of Proof the Principle of Utility is Susceptible, Mill’s central argument is, “the sole evidence it is possible to produce that anything is desirable is that people do desire it” (326). Mill refers to the greatest-happiness principle which states that our actions and goals are based on our desires. Mill believes that happiness is a universal trait predicated on desires and because of this, our desires enable us eventual

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