JS Mill

1. JS Mill You swine! Better to be an unhappy philosopher than a happy pig – thoughts???

2. Mill Crits and vs Bentham • Starter – what’s the difference between a higher and a lower pleasure using examples? • Homework – Consideration of who provides the stronger foundation for utilitarianism, Bentham or Mill? • LO s • To evaluate crits of Mill • To evaluate the similarities and differences between Mill and Bentham’s approach

3. Mill Crits • Discuss possible criticisms of Mill’s approach in groups of four • Optimistic view of human nature and individual autonomy (Victorian ideology) • Higher or lower meaningless • Arrogant • Too complex with rules but exceptions • Cannot decide quickly therefore not practical

4. Bentham vs Mill • Pairs Activity • 1 – Each pairs to discuss and note down (on one half of page) similarities between Mill and Bentham…things that they share • 2 – Other pairs to discuss differences between them, one column for Bentham and one for Mill. • 3 – Once done, one person from each pair swap with a pair doing the opposite to them, share and disseminate ideas.

5. Bentham vs Mill – Similarities • Pleasure and pain inbuilt in human nature • Happiness is goal • Human society exists to create happiness • Human progress • Rejection of religion and DCT • A posteriori, evidence based

6. Bentham vs Mill Differences Bentham Mill Quality of happiness Higher lower pleasures Aggregate individual happiness General Principles applied Human’s must have liberty and rights • Quantity of happiness • Pleasures same value • Individualistic • Hedonic Calculus • Human rights nonsense

7. WWJBoJSM do? • For each scenario, broadly apply thinking of Bentham and Mill. • 1 – Intervention in Syria • 2 – Capital Punishment • 3 – Abortion • 4 – Gay Marriage