John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism

Paper Summary:

The paper explains Mill's ethical theory of utilitarianism and considers Bernard Williams' objections to these beliefs. The paper contends that Williams is correct in arguing that utilitarianism fails to take into account that which is most essential to the human project: moral principles and the sense of personal integrity which rests upon them.

From the Paper:

"Mill's ethical theory holds that an individual's own happiness must be sacrificed if such a course will result in greater happiness overall. Mill states that the utilitarian standard "is not the agent's own greatest happiness, but the greatest amount of happiness altogether" (Mill, p. 99). For example, if I have $10 and am on my way to see a film, the admission price of which is $10, and I come upon a hungry homeless person, I may stop to ponder an appropriate response. Let's suppose that three courses of action commend themselves to me: (i) give the ten dollars to the hungry homeless person; (ii) continue on my way to the theater, ignoring his plight; or (iii) maliciously burn the money before his very eyes."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Boston, A. class lecture, Philosophy 1100 Ethics and Political Philosophy, Spring 2009, Langara College.
• Sommers, C. & Sommers, F. (2007). Vice & Virtue in Everyday Life. Watsworth: Belmont, CA Including:Mill, J. S. "Utilitarianism" (pp. 95-100)Williams, B. "A Critique of Utilitarianism" (pp. 100-107)

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