Mill vs. Bentham - 2787 Words

In what ways did John Stuart Mills version of utilitarianism differ from that of Jeremy Bentham? Which do you consider preferable? The Cambridge International Dictionary of English defines utilitarianism as the system of thought which states that the best action or decision in a particular situation is the one which most benefits the most people. This is the main idea of the system of thought and it is from this the beliefs and opinions of John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873), Jeremy Bentham (1748 - 1832) and other early utilitarians were developed. Jeremy Bentham, a friend of J. S. Mills father and the mentor of J. S. Mill, is usually considered the founder of British utilitarianism. J. S. Mill adapted Benthams ideas and philosophies to†¦show more content†¦He spent much of his time engaged in intense study, sometimes eight to twelve hours a day and by his death he had written tens of thousands manuscripts on many subjects. In 1808 he met James Mill, John Stuart Mills father, who fully supported Benthams ideas on utilitarianism. Bentham founded a group of intellectual philosophers called the ‘Philosophic al Radicals, or simply the ‘Benthamites, of which James Mill became a prominent member along with David Ricardo, George Grote and John Austin. Bentham and James Mill founded the Westminster Review, which aimed to propagate Radical views and to oppose the Whig supporting Edinburgh Review and the Tory Quarterly Review. It was in this publication that much of J. S. Mills work was presented, although he also wrote for other newspapers and journals including the Morning Chronicle and Parliamentary History Review. By the 1820s Bentham had become a widely respected figure both in Britain and other parts of the world and many of his ideas continue to be at the centre of academic debate. Benthams work is still considered to be the true basis of the utilitarian philosophy. His most influential works, in terms of how much they influenced the Victorian reform, are An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789), widely consideredShow MoreRelatedUtilitarianism : Bentham And Mill766 Words   |  4 PagesUtilitarianism: Bentham VS. Mill Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory that holds the morally right course of action in any given situation is the course of which yields the greatest balance of benefits over harms. More specifically, utilitarianism’s core idea is that the effects of an action determine whether actions are morally right or wrong. Created with philosophies of Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806–1873), Utilitarianism began in England in the 19th Century. Bentham andRead MoreUtilitarianism Vs. Mill Utilitarianism1004 Words   |  5 Pagesanism: Bentham VS. Mill Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory that holds the morally right course of action in any given situation is the course of which yields the greatest balance of benefits over harms. More specifically, utilitarianism’s core idea is that the effects of an action determine whether actions are morally right or wrong. Created with the philosophies of Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806–1873), Utilitarianism began in England in the 19th Century. BenthamRead MoreAn Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation by Jeremey Bentham.1026 Words   |  5 Pagesis generally considered a moral theory that was found by Jeremey Bentham, a 19th century English philosopher and a social reformer. In 1923, he wrote a book called An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation. Bentham idea was to understand the concept of happiness and that it is the definitive goal to all human beings. Bentham believes in a principle in which human s should be motivated by pain and pleasure, Bentham said in his book, â€Å"Nature has placed mankind under the governanceRead MoreA Decent Job At Separating Religion From Morality1405 Words   |  6 Pageskind of consequentialism Mills and Bentham use. Morals can be dependent of an individual’s preferences depending on the individual’s motives behind their actions. If one is religiously motivated to be moral, and fears the consequences if they are not moral, then they are not going off of their individual preferences. Those who decide what they want to do based off of their own pleasures, make moral decisions based on their own interests and preferences. Mill and Bentham, Aristotle, and Kant all haveRead MoreJohn Locke And Thomas Jefferson Essay1478 Words   |  6 Pagesagreements are imposed. Jefferson and Locke both support the notion of individuals having the responsibility to manage other issues by themselves without the interference of the government (Heywood 2014a, p.44-45). Acknowledged by Jeremy Bentham and James Mill, utilitarianism is an ethical philosophy linked to human nature. Both of these influential liberalists deemed the notion of natural rights as an illogical and unrealistic explanation of human nature. They promoted that humans were motivatedRead More Comparing the Utility of Bentham and Mill Essay1927 Words   |  8 PagesComparing the Utility of Bentham and Mill utility \U*tili*ty\, n. [OE. utilite, F. utilit[e], L. utilitas, fr. utilis useful. See Utile.] †¦ 3. Happiness; the greatest good, or happiness, of the greatest number, -- the foundation of utilitarianism. --J. S. Mill. Syn: Usefulness; advantageous; benefit; profit; avail; service. (www.dictionary.com) One of the major players in ethical theories has long been the concept of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism states that in generalRead MoreMoral Theories Of Utilitarianism And Deontological Ethics1266 Words   |  6 Pagesspecifying and justifying moral principles. Utilitarianism has been clarified by Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). Bentham proposed that actions are based upon the consequences (Moreland, 2009), and ongoing work on his theory will help in providing grounds for legal actions. His ideas regarding every human keeping his interests above the interests of others, were further worked by Mill (Sweet, n.d). Utilitarianism tries to improve the moral state of the world for as manyRead MoreCompare Utilitarianism with the religion that you have studiedUtilitarianism VS Christianity684 Words   |  3 Pagesthe religion that you have studied Utilitarianism VS Christianity BASIC MAXIM – â€Å"THE GREATEST HAPPINESS FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER† JEREMY BENTHAM – Act Utilitarianism (each action should be judged on its ability to bring about the greatest happiness for the greatest number) - Devised principle of utility - Established a hedonic calculus to measure pleasure/pain brought about by each action. JOHN STUART MILL – Rule Utilitarianism (rules should be formulated firstRead MoreJeremy Bentham And John Stuart Mills Mill On Utilitarianism872 Words   |  4 PagesMill on Utilitarianism â€Å"The creed which accepts as the foundation of morals, Utility, or the Greatest Happiness Principle, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness (Utilitarianism, Mill). This theory of Utilitarianism was generated by the original Utilitarians, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. Mill says: â€Å"Happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privationRead MoreEssay about Utilitarianism and Happiness845 Words   |  4 Pagesutility (pleasure or happiness).it looks at the consequence of an action as to whether the outcome is good to the majority of people affected by it. According to Bentham, utilitarianism is the greatest happiness or greatest felicity principle. There are many types of this theory which include act vs. rule, two level, motive, negative and average vs. total. (Clifford G., John C. 2009) In act utilitarianism, when people have to make choices, they should consider the consequences of each choice and then choose