Utilitarianism Criticism
Utilitarianism, an ethical framework primarily developed by Jeremy Bentham in the late 18th century, is based on the idea that actions are morally right if they promote happiness and wrong if they produce the opposite. The philosophy derives from hedonism, emphasizing the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain. Bentham's principle, often termed the "greatest happiness principle," suggests maximizing happiness for the most significant number of people, as explored in his seminal work An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation. This work outlines a system for determining the moral value of actions and the development of legislation that benefits society as a whole, incorporating a method to calculate the effects of actions in terms of pleasure and pain as analyzed by Frederick Rosen.
John Stuart Mill, a key figure following Bentham, further advanced Utilitarianism. His essay Utilitarianism (1861) argues for rational calculation as a pathway to personal happiness and explores practical issues like women's suffrage and legislative reform. Mill's nuanced approach is recognized for considering the broader implications of Utilitarian thought, including justice and liberty, as examined by D. Lloyd Thomas and Jan Narveson. His contributions have been characterized as "act-utilitarian" by Mark Strasser and are pivotal in discussions of equality, as noted by Roger Crisp.
The philosophy has evolved into "rule" and "act" Utilitarianism, with "rule" emphasizing strict adherence to moral codes and "act" allowing for flexibility based on circumstances. Criticism of Utilitarianism often highlights its reduction of complex human actions to simple calculations of pleasure and pain while acknowledging its significant influence on ethical theory, as indicated in discussions by critics such as Henry R. West and James E. Crimmins. Despite these critiques, Utilitarianism's impact remains profound in the history of normative ethics.
Contents
- Representative Works
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Criticism: J. S. Mill's Utilitarianism: Liberty, Equality, Justice
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Rights and Utilitarianism
(summary)
In the following essay, Narveson explores the conflict between justice and utility in the thought of J. S. Mill.
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Rights, Consequences, and Mill on Liberty
(summary)
In the following essay, Thomas offers philosophical and moral justifications for Mill's liberty principle as contained in his essay, On Liberty.
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Mill's Moral View
(summary)
In the following essay, Strasser evaluates Mill's moral stance and characterizes Mill primarily as an “act-utilitarian.”
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Utilitarianism and Equality: The Subjection of Women
(summary)
In the following essay, Crisp considers the implications of Mill's utilitarianism with regard to the equality of women.
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Mill's ‘Proof’ of the Principle of Utility
(summary)
In the following essay, West asserts the logical plausibility of Mill's proof of his utility principle.
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Rights and Utilitarianism
(summary)
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Criticism: Jeremy Bentham's Utilitarianism: The Science Of Happiness
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Bentham's Utilitarianism: A Differential Interpretation
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Lyons explores Bentham's basic principle of utility and its relationship to morality, ethics, and government.
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The Greatest Happiness Principle
(summary)
In the following essay, Rosen analyzes Jeremy Bentham's greatest happiness principle, focusing particularly on the related ideal of equality.
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Ethics and the Science of Legislation
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Crimmins views the scientific basis of Bentham's utility principle and its hostility toward religious ethics.
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Bentham's Utilitarianism: A Differential Interpretation
(summary)
- Further Reading