1. Mill’s Utilitarianism
Learning objective:
To examine the developments of utilitarianism
To be able to explain the key features of Mill’s utilitarianism.
Key Words
Egalitarian
Quantitative
(1806 – 1873)

2. Make a link Hedonism Principle of utility Universal Democratic
Teleological
Consequentialist
Absolutist Utilitarianism

3. Criticisms of Bentham
John Stuart Mill – main criticism that Bentham tried to measure pleasure in quantitative terms. It seemed to allow some actions to be called good when they seemed to others to be wrong. Feelings other than happiness are necessary for the good life: honour, dignity, generosity. Ideals such as love, truth and justice are good, whether or not they make people happy.

4. Mill’s utilitarianism
Read about Mill on page 42 of your handout.
‘It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.’
John Stuart Mill
What does Mill mean here?
Copy the quote down and the re-write it in your own words.

5. Complete the following
1) Do you agree that bodily pleasures are lower than intellectual pleasures? Explain the reasons for your answer. 2) For Mill, it is the quality of pleasure to be measured not the quantity. Do you agree? Why/why not? 3) Complete task 2 page 43.

6. Pleasure Bentham and happiness
Bentham considered his theory to be egalitarian. As all human beings are equal, he believed the pleasure experienced whilst eating a chocolate bar to be equal to the pleasure gained when solving a quadratic equation.
Pleasure

7. In pairs, discuss what you think Mill is suggesting about Bentham?
J.S. Mill on Bentham
‘He never knew poverty and adversity, passion not satiety: he never had even the experience which sickness gives; he lived from childhood to eighty-five in boyish health. He knew no dejection or heaviness of heart.’
In pairs, discuss what you think Mill is suggesting about Bentham?
For Mill, Bentham’s comfortable life did not enable him to fully appreciate what was really important to humans.

8. 20 questions!
Write a key word from the unit on a post-it and stick it on your partner’s forehead. They must ask yes/no questions to guess the word.

9. Homework
Write at least half a side of A4 explaining the key differences and similarities between Bentham and Mill’s utilitarian theories. Write this as continuous prose, using full sentences. All powerpoints used in class can be found on the DLS. There is also a document called Summary notes that might help. Ongoing homework – to read this document.