Exam 5: Utilitarianism and John Stuart Mill

In the reading from Utilitarianism Mill writes that we have learned by experience that murder and theft are wrong because they are generally injurious to human happiness.

Label as the better choice on utilitarian calculations , A or B, using a scale of -10 (very painful)to +10 (very pleasurable)for degrees of pleasure or happiness.

The reason that Mill believes pleasure is the only intrinsic good is because he believes it is the only thing that everyone desires for its own sake.

Utilitarianism is a relativistic moral theory, for it recognizes that what is good in some circumstances is not always good in others.

Label as the better choice on utilitarian calculations , A or B, using a scale of -10 (very painful)to +10 (very pleasurable)for degrees of pleasure or happiness.

During which centuries did Bentham and Mill publish their utilitarian theories?

According to Bentham, some pleasures may be more valuable than others but only in so far as they are of greater intensity or duration.

Both Bentham and Mill hold that some pleasures are better in kind than others.

Which of the following is not included in calculating the amount of happiness?

The following is an example of the reasoning of a rule utilitarian: "If the practice of lying is bad, then one ought not to lie now, even if in this case to lie would actually bring about better consequences."

Which of the following was not one of the founders of utilitarianism?

Of which kind of reasoning , Act (A)or Rule (R)Utilitarianism, are the following examples? I ought to get more sleep because if I don't I will be no good to myself or others.

According to utilitarian moral theory, happiness is an instrumental good.

Which of the following is not necessary to act morally according to utilitarianism?

According to utilitarianism, an act that makes some people happy and others unhappy can never be morally right.

Label as the better choice on utilitarian calculations , A or B, using a scale of -10 (very painful)to +10 (very pleasurable)for degrees of pleasure or happiness.

In his Utilitarianism Mill answers those who say that his theory is a crass pleasure theory, fit only for beasts, by suggesting ways that humans make qualitative (and not just quantitative)distinctions between types of pleasure.

According to Mill, the only evidence we have that something is desirable in itself (as an end)is that people do, in fact, desire it.

Explain the difference between an instrumental good and an intrinsic good. Why does utilitarianism treat happiness as an intrinsic good?

In his work, Utilitarianism , Mill's test or basis for distinguishing higher from lower pleasures is the preference of those who have experience of both.