Study Questions for Mill, Utilitarianism, pp.12-26

 

1.      Chapter 2 continues with still more objections and replies.  How does Mill respond to the objection that happiness is unattainable (either absolutely or in sufficient amount)?  (Pp.12-15)

2.      How does he respond to the claim that it is nobler or more virtuous to learn to do without happiness? (Pp.15-17)

3.   How does he respond to the objection that utilitarianism is too demanding (i.e., that it asks too much of us)? (Pp.18-20)

4.      How does he respond to the objection that utilitarianism makes people cold and unsympathetic and leads them to ignore people’s intentions? (Pp.20-21)

5.      How does Mill answer the charge that utilitarianism is a godless doctrine?  (Pp.21-22)

6.      How does he answer the charge that utilitarianism encourages people to do what is expedient, instead of acting on principle?  (Pp.22-23)

7.      Notice Mill’s discussion of lying on p.22-23.  This is meant to show that his theory does not license too much ‘flexibility’ in obeying traditional moral rules.  Does his argument succeed?

8.      How does Mill respond to the objection that his doctrine requires us to enter into impossibly lengthy calculations before we act?  (Pp.23-25)

9.      Note that Mill makes an important claim for his utilitarian principle on p.26: that it gives us a standard for deciding between conflicting moral obligations.  This is a problem for any theory of ethics that relies on rules or principles. Do you think Mill’s solution is a good one?