Theory & Philosophy Utilitarianism | John Stuart Mill | Keyword
Apr 2, 2024
British philosopher John Stuart Mill discusses his approach to utilitarianism, emphasizing maximizing happiness for the majority. The podcast critiques past moral philosophies and highlights the importance of sustained happiness over mere pleasure. It explores Utilitarianism and the Greater Good, contrasting with Aristotle's virtue ethics, and delves into societal happiness beyond individual boundaries, advocating for diverse perspectives in defining happiness and enlightenment.
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Happiness As The Moral Foundation
- John Stuart Mill defines utilitarianism as organizing society to maximize happiness for as many people as possible.
- He treats happiness as the foundational goal for moral and political organization.
Happiness Is Broad And Sustained
- Mill's notion of happiness includes both mental and bodily pleasures and values sustained, not fleeting, satisfaction.
- He rejects reducing happiness to mere physical indulgence like constant sweets or drugs.
From Individual To Collective Ethics
- Mill presents utilitarianism as a total social system aimed at maximizing collective happiness rather than individual virtue alone.
- He argues education should teach children to equate personal good with the greater good.