Note: Mill doesn't get around to telling his readers
what the utilitarian theory of ethics is until page seven. You may find it helpful to read the first
paragraph (at least) of the editor's introduction, or to look at Mill's own
explanation on page seven (in the first paragraph beginning on that page),
before reading Chapter 1.
1.
Note the
criticism of Kant on p.4. What exactly
is Mill claiming about Kant's theory of ethics?
2.
Chapter 2
attempts to clarify the meaning of the utilitarian theory of ethics by showing
that a number of common objections to it are based on misunderstandings. The first of these objections is met (on
pp.6-7) by pointing out that 'utility' includes 'pleasure' and is not opposed
to it. See if you can state the
objection itself in your own words.
What would someone say if he or she was criticizing utilitarianism in
the way that Mill is imagining here?
3.
A second
objection is addressed in the pages 7-12.
It is stated in the second paragraph beginning on p.7. Mill's reply hinges on a matter we discussed
already: a distinction between higher
and lower pleasures. Try to get clear
on what sorts of pleasures Mill thinks are 'higher' and what sorts 'lower.' Try also to understand and evaluate the
reasoning he uses to defend his way of drawing this distinction. (This involves developing the notion of a
'competent judge.')
4.
Note that
this section culminates in a more detailed statement of the utilitarian
doctrine (in the paragraph that starts on the bottom of page 11 and concludes
on page 12).
5. How does Mill respond to the objection
that happiness is unattainable (either absolutely or in sufficient
amount)? (Pp.12-15)
6. How does he respond to the claim that it
is nobler or more virtuous to learn to do without happiness? (Pp.15-17)
7. How does he respond to the objection that
utilitarianism is too demanding (I.e., that it asks too much of us)? (Pp.17-19)
8. How does he respond to the objection that utilitarianism makes people cold and unsympathetic and leads them to ignore people’s intentions? (Pp.19-21)
9. Chapter 2 continues with still more objections and replies. How does Mill answer the charge that utilitarianism is a godless doctrine? (Pp.21-22)
10. How does he answer the charge that utilitarianism encourages people to do what is expedient, instead of acting on principle? (Does this objection remind you of anyone we’ve read lately?) (Pp.22-23)
11. Notice Mill’s discussion of lying on p.22.
12. How does Mill respond to the objection that his doctrine requires us to enter into impossibly lengthy calculations before we act? (Pp.23-24) Does his answer here show that he is a ‘rule-utilitarian’ and not an ‘act-utilitarian’?
13. Note that Mill makes an important claim for his utilitarian principle on p.25: that it gives us a standard for deciding between conflicting moral obligations.
14. In Chapter III Mill develops his ideas about the psychology of morals: What motives do people have for doing what is right? How do those motives have any force for us? His main answer comes on p.28. What is it?
15. How does Mill answer the question, “Is morality natural?” (P.30)
16. What is
the “natural basis of sentiment for utilitarian morality”? That is, what natural human feelings does
utilitarianism appeal to? (Pp.30-33)
17. Try to
understand and assess the ‘proof’ Mill offers in Chapter IV.