Thalassa Editions

Utilitarianism

John Stuart Mill

Utilitarianism · Beginner

The most influential defence of consequentialist ethics, still the main rival to Kantian duty.

John Stuart Mill · first circulated 1863

Main ideas

Right action as what promotes happiness overall.
Higher and lower pleasures distinguished by informed judgement.

Important themes

HappinessImpartialityConsequences

Reading context

A defence of the greatest happiness principle, published in 1861 against the charge that it was a doctrine fit for pigs. Mill's distinction between higher and lower pleasures is his attempt to answer that charge.

How to approach it

Chapters 2 and 4 carry the argument. Ask whether higher pleasures can be ranked without smuggling in a standard other than pleasure itself.