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Chapter 5

Title: John Stuart Mill: Utilitarianism

Quote: “There is nothing originally more desirable about money than about any heap of
glittering pebbles” –John Stuart

Expectations: I expect to further understand the moral lesson of this

chapter.

Book Review:
John Stuart, the author of this chapter, discussed the great things about happiness in this article. My main
question is how does one person know if there is happiness happening around them. Can it be made by someone,
something? Can happiness be bought by money? How does the utility involved whit this chapter?

From what I have understand in this chapter, happiness can do many things, you can have great power,
meaning to gain control of something which others cannot control. Almost everything can be bought by money,
you can do anything with money, there is the only thing that can’t be bought by money, and that is friendship and
real love.

According to John Stuart “The principle of utility does not mean that any given pleasure, as music, or any
given exemption from pain as for example health, is to be looked upon as means to a collective something termed
happiness, and to be desired on that account.” This part made a strong meaning, wherein if somebody read this,
they can easily understand what principles of utility mean.

Things I have learned: I have learned that not all can be bought by money, or money can
buy everything.

Integrity Questions:
1.) What does Utilitarianism mean?
2.) Who is John Stuart?
3.) What did John Stuart did contribute?
4.) How does happiness takes place?
5.) What are the principles of utility?
Continue

Review Questions:
1.) State and explain the Principle of Utility. Show how it could be used to justify actions
that are conventionally viewed as wrong, such as lying and stealing.

- Principle of utility be abused when there are people who uses it in the negative
way.

2.) How does Mill reply to the objection that Epicureanism is a doctrine worthy only of
swine?

- John Stuart Mill discussed or explain the things he wants it.

3.) How does Mill distinguish between higher and lower pleasures?

- Pleasures can be done by our own actions depending on how we do it.

4.) According to Mill, whose happiness must be considered?

- Everyone’s happiness is considered, no more, no less.

5.) Carefully reconstruct Mill’s proof of the Principle of Utility.

- Friendship, true love can be a proof of the principle of utility.

Discussion Questions:
1.) Is happiness nothing more than pleasure, and the absence of pain? What do you
think?
- I think happiness can be a pleasure in some ways, and it can also be an absence
of pain or vice versa.
2.) Does Mill convince you that the so-called higher pleasures are better than the lower
ones?
- It depends, because are the ones who make it as higher or lower pleasures.
3.) Mill says, “In the golden rule of Jesus of Nazareth, we read the complete spirit of the
ethics of utility.” Is this true or not?
- I think it is not true.
4.) Many commentators have thought that Mill’s proof of the Principle of Utility is
defective. Do you agree? If so, then what mistake or mistakes does he make? Is
there any way to reformulate the proof so that it is not defective?
- I can say that I agree.