TERM 1
Mill's Reply to Misconceptions about
Utilitarianism
DEFINITION 1
Mill observes that many people misunderstand utilitarianism
by interpreting utility as in opposition to pleasure. In reality,
utility is defined as pleasure itself, and the absence of pain.
Thus another name for utility is the Greatest Happiness
Principle
TERM 2
Greatest Happiness
Principle
DEFINITION 2
"actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote
happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of
happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the
absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of
pleasure." actions are good when they lead to a higher level
of general happiness, and bad when they decrease that
level.
TERM 3
Act/Rule Utilitarianism
DEFINITION 3
Act: what actions lead to greatest possible good Rule: what
rules/laws lead to greatest possible good
TERM 4
Objections: Unattainable reps
DEFINITION 4
People satisfied with moderate happiness only
TERM 5
Objections: Unnecessary
DEFINITION 5
Because we can do without happiness doesn't mean we
should
