The Philosophy of Utilitarianism

A graphic representing utilitarianism (Source: Investopedia)

Utilitarianism is a form of moral reasoning heavily popularized by Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). There are two basic types of utilitarianism: consequentialist, which locates morality in the consequences of an act, and categorical, which finds morality in certain duties and rights. 

Jeremy Bentham was famous for being a supporter of individual rights and expression. He fought for the separation of church and state, equal rights for women, the decriminalization of homosexuality, and the abolition of slavery and capital punishment.

He believed that there were two basic human compulsions: to seek pleasure and to avoid pain. Therefore, the goal of morality should be to maximize pleasure for the greatest number of people and minimize pain. He called this scale “utility” and argued that morality should be measured by the amount of utility it provides.

One of his central ideologies was that the consequences of an action matter more than the perpetrator’s motives. This is because motives can’t be measured, but consequences can be measured through utility.

He also supported “Act Utilitarianism,” which argues that priority should be given to the people with finer skills who can contribute more value to society. For example, if a brain surgeon and a criminal were on a sinking boat and there was only room for one of them on a lifeboat, the brain surgeon should be saved.

John Stuart Mill was a child prodigy, and his father and Bentham were close friends; thus, Bentham often experimented on him. Mill learned Greek and three years old, Latin and nine years old, and read all of Plato’s work by ten. However, because of his talent, he was denied a normal childhood and only learned to tie his shoelaces at age twelve.

Mill was highly influenced by Bentham’s work but rejected two key aspects. Firstly, he believed that not all pleasures were equal. He defined higher pleasures as more sophisticated activities, such as watching a ballet performance and lower pleasures as more common activities, like watching cartoons. Higher pleasures are superior because they offer dignity and develop intellectual capabilities.

He also rejected Bentham’s calculus of happiness, because he believes that pleasures and pains can’t be measured. Contrary to Bentham, he was a “Rule Utilitarian.” He believed that ordinary people shouldn’t calculate moral actions as Bentham suggested, but stick to moral rules instead. According to Mill, following moral rules will ultimately produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. One of Mill’s most famous quotes states, “We have a moral duty to prevent or to reduce human suffering.”

Discussion Questions:

Do you agree with Bentham’s ideas more or Mill’s ideas more?

Can you think of any challenges to Utilitarianism?

What other philosophical ideologies have you heard of?

Vocabulary:

Morality: the measure of how good or bad an action is

Consequences: the effects of an action

Decriminalization: removing the punishment for

Homosexuality: love between two people of the same gender

Compulsions: inclinations towards an action

Ideologies: ways of thinking or ideas

Perpetrator: a person who carries out an act

Priority: importance

Prodigy: a highly talented person

Sophisticated: well-mannered or selective

Intellectual: having to do with intellect or thought

Calculus: the method of calculating something