Prior to Mill, Jeremy Bentham offers the hedonic calculus as a way of

measuring the quantity of pleasures. What are Benthams seven

categories: intensity, certainty, duration, propinquity, fecundity, purity
and extent?
o Intensity the stronger the intensity the better
o Certainty the more certain that pleasure will occur the better
o Duration - the longer the pleasure lasts the better
o Propinquity (proximity) the sooner the pleasures occur, the better
o Fecundity (fruitfulness) the more pleasures that result from the first
pleasure, the better (how likely will the first pleasure lead to other
pleasures?)
o Purity the more pleasure unmixed with pain the better
o Extent the more beings who can experience pleasure the better


For Bentham and Mill, what does utility mean and what is the
principle of utility? Do Bentham and Mill think that our happiness is
any more important than the happiness of others? How do Bentham
and Mill differ with respect to the quality of pleasures?
o Utility is the property in any object whereby it tends to produce
benefit, advantage, pleasure, good, or happiness, and to prevent
mischief, pain, evil or unhappiness.
o The principle of utility approves or disapproves of actions approves
if actions augment happiness, disapproves if actions diminish
happiness.
o They do no think that our happiness is more important than the
happiness of others all persons are equal
o Bentham focuses on the quantity of pleasures, whereas Mill focuses
on the quality of pleasures


According to Mill, how have Epicureans been misunderstood by their
critics or accusers? How does Mill respond to the objection that
utilitarianism is the doctrine worthy of swine? How does he
determine that higher pleasures are more important to happiness than
lower pleasures? How do we know some pleasures are qualitatively
superior to others?
o When thus attacked, the Epicureans have always answered, that it is
not they, but their accusers, who represent human nature in a
degrading light; since the accusation supposes human beings to be
capable of no pleasures except those of which swine are capable
o The swine objection a life with no higher end than pleasure is a
doctrine worthy only of swine, to whom the followers of Epicurus
were likened
o Higher pleasures are important because animals can achieve lower
pleasures, but only humans can experience higher pleasures because
we have reason
Higher pleasures human beings have faculties more elevated
than the animal appetites; Intellectual pleasure like opera,
reading, thinking
Lower pleasures physical pleasures like eating, drinking, sex
o To know that some pleasures are qualitatively superior to others, we
need to ask the opinion of qualified judges
Of two pleasures, if there be one to which all or almost all who
have experience of both give a decided preference, that is the
more desirable pleasure.


In the majority of young persons the capacity for nobler feelings
speedily dies away. What are the two causes that make it unfavorable
for young persons to keep their higher capacity in exercise? Why do
many people who are capable of higher pleasure (i.e. people who can
fully appreciate the higher pleasures) occasionally postpone them to
the lower pleasures?
o Capacity for the nobler feelings is in most natures a very tender
plant, easily killed, not only by hostile influences, but by mere want of
sustenance
o The two causes that make it unfavorable for young persons to keep
their higher capacity in exercise are society and occupations
o People who are capable of higher pleasure occasionally postpone
them to the lower pleasures not because they deliberately prefer
them, but because they are either the only one to which they have
access or the only ones which they are any longer capable of enjoying


How does Mill reply to the objection that happiness in this life is
unattainable? Is it possible to have a life that is worthy of the name of
happiness? What does Mill say about the sacrifices of heroes and
martyrs who do without happiness?
o Happiness cannot be the purpose of human life, for it is unattainable,
and even if attainable, it is something we can live our lives quite well
without
Happiness attainable in more limited sense
Not constant rapture
Many pleasures with few pains
o Mills Reply: Sacrifices (e.g. martyrs) are wasted if not done for
greater happiness of society




What two wretched conditions are the only real hindrances to
happiness being attainable by almost all people? What does Mill suggest
are the main constituents of the satisfied life? What are two principal
causes that make life unsatisfactory?
o The main constituents of the satisfied life are tranquility and
excitement
o (dont know the answers to the other questions)


How does Mill respond to the objection that utilitarianism is a godless
doctrine? How does Mill compare the golden rule of Jesus with the
ethics of utility? How does Mill respond to the objection that there isnt
enough time to calculate the consequences of our prospective actions?
o Mills reply to a godless doctrine god wants us to be happy and gave
us reason to calculate greatest happiness
o Golden Rule like Utilitarian principles
o There is no time for utilitarian calculations
Can study past examples
Can train now for later