John Stuart Mills Theory of

Utilitarianism
The basis of JS Mills theory of
Utilitarianism built on the weaknesses
of Benthams theory.
L6CRS2 1.4 associated with Benthams
problems
theory of Utilitarianism.

what constitutes happiness

Mill - Agrees with Bentham,

generally

Utilitarianism is 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 produce
happiness, wrong as they tend to
produce the reverse of happiness.
BUT

Problems with Benthams theory

Problem with predicting the future result of actions

Immoral happiness supported if it suits the majority

Happiness an entirely undefined concept; all happiness is

commensurate

The Calculus is entirely impractical

Ignores the quality of pleasure entirely

It is better to be a human dissatisfied than a

pig satisfied; better to be Socrates
dissatisfied than a fool satisfied

Bentham was wrong; not all pleasures are equally valid (or
commensurate)
Higher (mental) pleasures are better than lower (physical) pleasures.
(Distinction between different types of pleasure)

Man should aim for the higher, mental pleasures.

Desirable pleasures can be established by competent judges: those who

have experienced a wide range of pleasures (No hedonic calculus)

Allows individuals to pursue their own pleasures instead of aiming for

quantitative happiness (Qualitative rather than quantitative)

Individualist: allows for personal preferences though still protecting the

greater good

Evolution to modern liberalism

Key thinker:
J.S. Mill (1806-1873)

He worked also with

his wife &
intellectual partner
Harriet Taylor
(1806-1858)
He described her as the honour and
chief blessing of his existence, a
source of a great inspiration for
his attempt to bring about human
improvement

John Stuart Mill

The

most influential English-speaking

philosopher of the 19th century. His views are of
continuing significance, and are generally
recognized to be among the deepest and certainly
the most effective defenses of a liberal political
view of society. The overall aim of his philosophy
is to develop a positive view of the universe
which contributes to the progress of human
knowledge, individual freedom and human wellbeing.
(From the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

John Stuart Mill

English political theorist, born in London eldest son of

James Mill
James Mill, belonged to the Utilitarian school and was
associated with Bentham. wrote History of British
India and was part of the East India Company JS also
joined latter
Did not have normal childhood no formal schooling
At 4 he started to learn Greek and at 8 Latin
By age of 10 he had already read Plato dialogue, Homer,
Thucydides and Greek thinkers beside being good at
Algebra, Geometry and Mathematics
When 11 he edited & proof read History of British India
by 13 begun reading English classical economist
At 14 published an introductory textbook in economics
entitled elements of political economy (1920)

By 20 he was contributing to various newspapers and periodicals

Major Works:
1.System of Logic (1843)
2. Essays on Liberty (1859)
3. The Subjection of Women (1869)
2 & 3 were classic elaboration of liberal thought on important issues like
law, rights and liberty
4. The Consideration on Representative Government (1861) provides an
outline of his ideal government based on proportional representation
institution of self government.
5. Utilitarianism (1863) endorses Benthams principle with significant
departure
He is considered a bridge between classical liberalism and modern
liberalism

On Liberty
Civil

liberties are under great threat in

democratic than in despotic regimes
subject is vigilant against any
encroachment
But in democracies self govt- one has to
be more vigilant about the dangers of
liberty not only from govt but from society
social conformism

 Mill

argues that diversity in ideas and in

conduct is a good thing; one that society
ought to encourage, not discourage.
He especially defends freedom of thought
and discussion. "We can never be sure that
the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a
false opinion, and if we were sure, stifling it
would be an evil still."

Why liberty is important; especially individual liberty

When individual make their own choice they make use
of their faculties. the human faculties of perception,
judgement, feeling, mental activities and even moral
preference are exercised only in making choice
Individual who only act in a certain fashion only
because they have been told to do so not develop any
of these faculties

On Liberty
The

tyranny of the prevailing opinion and

feeling, ... the tendency of society to
impose... its own ideas and practices as
rules of conduct on those who dissent from
them, ... to prevent the formation of any
individuality not in harmony with its ways.

From On Liberty
The

sole end for which mankind are

warranted, individually or collectively... in
interfering with the liberty of action of any
of their number, is self-protection."

Social tyranny & conformity

The

individual has a sovereign right over

his or her self, body and mind, a right to be
free of societal interference in our lives.
Does that mean that society can NEVER
interfere in our choices?
If not, when can it? What is the guiding
principle?

 Society

can interfere, but for one reason

only: to stop harm to others. Society may
protect itself and other individuals.
But society may NOT interfere in order to
protect us from our own bad choices.
So, is does a behavior affect others? Or
only ourselves?

Three specific liberties

Liberty

of Thought and Expression

(including liberty of speaking and
publishing)
Liberty of action
Liberty of Association.

The value of freedom of

thought
The

opinion may be true. We are not

infallible.
The opinion may be partly true, and the
truth can only emerge after free and full
debate.
The opinion may be false, but debate is still
valuable because it keeps our views from
becoming dead dogma or rigid biases.

Freedom of Thought and Discussion .

(1) The repressed belief might be true.
(2) Even if it is false, it is still better to express it.
This encourages people to come up with
arguments for their views, instead of just
accepting a belief dogmatically.
(3) The free expression of dissent encourages people
to think about what their belief means.
(4) Even if a belief is mostly false, it may have a
grain of truth. The best way to discover this is to
allow for free and open discussion.
Dialogue, discussion is important evolvement of
proper opinion or truth- consensus

Freedom of Association
community/collective action
certain

things can be done better by individual

than by govt.
Allowing individual to get together good for the
mental education of the individual political
education of free people. Takes them out of the
narrow family and personal selfishness
comprehend joint concern
Habituating them to act towards public motive
Leaving everything to govt evil of adding
unnecessary power to it.

Freedom of Association
community/collective action
Improve

individual morally, mentally and

materially liberty was instrumental improved
individual lead to improved society and state

Subjection for Women Advocating for Equal Right for Women

Assumption: freedom was fundamental for human well being
He states the principle which regulates the existing social relations
between the two sexes the legal subordination of one sex to the
other is wrong in itself, and is one of the chief hindrance to human
improvement
- Replace by principle of prefect equality referring to mid 19th
century English law of marriage - Women could not hold property, father was the guardian of the
children
- First to refer to absence of laws on marital rape

Modern age paradoxical while principle of liberty and equality

was being asserted the same not applied to condition of women
Eg. No one believed in slavery any longer but women treated
worst than slaves this not questioned.
Put forth three argument for womens subordination
First: womens inequality has been justified historically and is a
universal practices
Refutation: Slavery has been abolished
No alternative been tried
Self Interest of men and society self interest

Second Argument: Womens Nature naturally inferior to

men
Refutation: Based on socialisation
Can change according to social environment.
Third Argument; Nothing wrong as women accepted it
voluntarily..
Refutation: the claim is wrong as we find women fighting
for womens right -

Advantages for equality: Four social benefits

Family will no longer be a school of despotism
hierarchical relationship contradiction in modern
democracy
Good citizens must have a sentiment for freedom
Double the mass of mental faculties
Serve utilitarianism principles

Representative Government:
Not concern with the origin of state but the end.
Government serves two purpose two function
1. Use the existing skills and qualities of the citizens to
best serve their interest
2. Must improve the moral, intellectual and active
qualities of the citizens
Examine - which govt fulfils most adequately the purpose.
A despotic government may serve the first but will fail in
the second..only a representative govt may be able to
fulfil both the functions

Because it combines judiciously the two principle of

participation and competence and is able of protecting and
educating the citizens
It provides an efficient forum for conducting the collective affairs
of the community.
Purpose of State:
State is the product of the will of the people and is an instrument
for the promotion of their interest
State is to be regulated in such a manner that the best intellectual
and moral qualities of the citizens are stimulated and utilized.
Citizens are the best judge of their interest

The interest of the citizens can only be protected in a representative

form of government- a process where every individual have a say in
controlling government.
Thus participation must be extended to all including women
Institutional Changes;
Advocates proportional representation Hares system and plural
voting improve quality of representative
Also proposes open ballot system of voting everyone must know
how one has voted franchise was not ones right like propertyits a trust, a public duty
One must cast ones vote for candidate whose policies seem best ot
further the common interest.

Representative Assembly must be a committee of grievances and a

congress of opinion every opinion finds a voice deliberation
group interest protected. The house is not suited for legislation and
administration. This are specialised task
Legislation was to be framed by a Codification Committee
made up of few competent legal experts.
Administration taken care by bureaucrats - an institution
characterised by instrumental competence able and efficient
persons able to find the most efficient means to fulfil given goals

Two type of Competence:

Instrumental: discover the best means to certain end ability
to identify ends that satisfy individual interest
Moral: ability to discern/identify end that are intrinsically
superior for individual and society. So Morally competent
leaders able to recognise the general interest and resist the
sinister/evil interest that dwell not only in the government
but also in the democratic majority.
Thus representative govt. is able to combine participation
and competence improve the quality of its citizens in the
mental, moral and practical aspects.