John Stuart Mill Questions and Answers
John Stuart Mill
What is the meaning of John Stuart Mill's saying, "It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied"?
John Stuart Mill's quote, "It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied," found in his work Utilitarianism, is a response to critics of utilitarianism who view the philosophy as...
John Stuart Mill
What is John Stuart Mill's "Greatest Happiness Principle"?
The Greatest Happiness Principle is the central idea of 19th century English philosopher John Stuart Mill’s brand of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is a branch of philosophy that determines the...
John Stuart Mill
Why might some argue that utilitarianism holds humanity to a high moral standard, and how does John Stuart Mill respond?
Mill's argument that the utilitarian standard of putting others' interests ahead of our own is not a "too high" moral standard relies on his understanding that human beings are not animals, but...
John Stuart Mill
Applying Mill's utilitarian ethics and Kant's philosophy, what would they say about giving a homeless person $20 to...
Mill would approve of the first scenario here. He argued that actions were judged by their effects and whether they created happiness or utility. Since everyone in the scenario benefits, he would...
John Stuart Mill
How does John Stuart Mill define happiness?
Mill defines happiness as the only significant criterion in determining what is right or good. An action is moral if it produces happiness.
John Stuart Mill
What were John Stuart Mill's views on private property?
John Stuart Mill's views on private property were that the laws of property had never conformed to the principles on which the justification of private property rests and that, therefore, one could...
John Stuart Mill
How does John Stuart Mill advocate for personal freedom as a liberal thinker?
John Stuart Mill, as a liberal thinker, strongly advocates for personal freedom, emphasizing its role in enabling individuals to discover meaning and purpose in life. Influenced by his own...
John Stuart Mill
What does John Stuart Mill identify as the difference between modern life and the past?
John Stuart Mill identifies the key difference between modern life and the past as the increased emphasis on individuality and lifestyle choices. He argues that modern society should tolerate diverse...
John Stuart Mill
In what sense could Mill's policies be considered utopian?
Mill's policies could be considered utopian because they assume ideal conditions where individuals make rational decisions without self-interest or practical political considerations. As a classical...
John Stuart Mill
From a utilitarian perspective, how would Mill assess the ethical scenario of recommending a lazy and mean cousin for...
Mill, from a utilitarian perspective, would likely disapprove of recommending your lazy and mean cousin for a job, as the negative consequences for the company and coworkers would outweigh the...