Mill’s Principle of Utilitarianism
Mill advocates for the utilitarian framework, which suggests an action is ethical if it maximizes the utility. Mill’s argument of utilitarianism is perhaps the most common in the modern society since the idea became very popular in time to a point where even churches started adopting it. In fact, one can argue that a real democratic government operates in a utilitarian model with the main aim being to serve the good of most of the people in such a system. This essay reviews Mill 's principle of utilitarianism with the primary goal being to determine what one should look at using the model to determine whether an action is ethical or unethical.
In the second chapter of his work Mill seeks to clarify what utilitarianism …show more content…
However, Mill does not dwell much on the question of “right”, since from his arguments in support of utilitarianism he apparently believes that every person derives the right to be happy from his/her mere existence. While most scholars might argue that people can live without happiness, Mill argues that a life without happiness is not worth living. The reason being the despair and misery such a life brings, hence, making it impossible for one to continue living. Therefore, under the utilitarian model of ethics, Mill happiness is not about self-gratification, but the attainment of a state of well-being for an individual and those around him/her. As such, his principle suggests that an action is morally right if it maximizes the happiness among most …show more content…
He further, suggests truth that nobody can render void is higher in obligation when it comes to determination of what is morally correct. Mill argues that the principle of justice should not exceed others principles in the determination of moral right. It is evident that his policy seeks to relate fairness and morality. He accounts for justice being a moral requirement that is “higher in obligation” by arguing that it remains critical in certain social utilities, hence more imperative and absolute than other principles in the same class. Mill seems to support the idea that through the provision of justice in the society, happiness which is the main basis utilitarianism is maximized in the
Mill advocates for the utilitarian framework, which suggests an action is ethical if it maximizes the utility. Mill’s argument of utilitarianism is perhaps the most common in the modern society since the idea became very popular in time to a point where even churches started adopting it. In fact, one can argue that a real democratic government operates in a utilitarian model with the main aim being to serve the good of most of the people in such a system. This essay reviews Mill 's principle of utilitarianism with the primary goal being to determine what one should look at using the model to determine whether an action is ethical or unethical.
In the second chapter of his work Mill seeks to clarify what utilitarianism …show more content…
However, Mill does not dwell much on the question of “right”, since from his arguments in support of utilitarianism he apparently believes that every person derives the right to be happy from his/her mere existence. While most scholars might argue that people can live without happiness, Mill argues that a life without happiness is not worth living. The reason being the despair and misery such a life brings, hence, making it impossible for one to continue living. Therefore, under the utilitarian model of ethics, Mill happiness is not about self-gratification, but the attainment of a state of well-being for an individual and those around him/her. As such, his principle suggests that an action is morally right if it maximizes the happiness among most …show more content…
He further, suggests truth that nobody can render void is higher in obligation when it comes to determination of what is morally correct. Mill argues that the principle of justice should not exceed others principles in the determination of moral right. It is evident that his policy seeks to relate fairness and morality. He accounts for justice being a moral requirement that is “higher in obligation” by arguing that it remains critical in certain social utilities, hence more imperative and absolute than other principles in the same class. Mill seems to support the idea that through the provision of justice in the society, happiness which is the main basis utilitarianism is maximized in the