John Stuart Mill Essay Example for Free

John Stuart Mill Essay In this essay I will discuss Utilitarianism by first explaining how Utilitarians are consequentialists who base their actions on the pleasure of pain of their consequences. Secondly, Jeremy Bentham will be discussed as the propagator of the Principle of Utility which determines human self-interest and voluntary action to achieve the greatest good or greatest pleasure. Thirdly, I will discuss John Stuart Mills and his more complex version of Utilitarianism. To clarify the Utilitarian theory I will illustrate and assess different examples of complex situations, simultaneously doing a critique on the theory, in order to conclude the relevance of Utilitarianism in society. (101) Consequentialism looks at the desirability and undesirability of consequences; meaning people base their actions on what is right and wrong by the virtue of the outcome. The Principle of Utility was derived by Jeremy Bentham and originated from psychological hedonism. Psychological hedonism is a form of psychological egoism that describes the human motive and desire to experience pleasure and avoid pain. The Principle of Utility is therefore described as the determination of right and wrong actions with right actions producing the greatest happiness or greatest good for the greatest number of people, while wrong actions produce unhappiness and pain. Thus, Utilitarians can be seen as Consequentialists because their actions are governed by consequences which can either result in pleasure or pain. Jeremy Bentham derived the Principle of Utility and viewed this principle as the foundation of all ethics. Bentham searched for what had the ultimate intrinsic value. For something to be of intrinsic value it must be desirable in itself, for example, health. People do not want good health for any other reason than to be healthy. There are many things that can be seen to have intrinsic value, such as knowledge, success, or God’s Will. However, Bentham wanted to identify the intrinsic value that everyone, religious or not, could agree on. He therefore decided that pleasure was the only thing with the ultimate intrinsic value as it allows an objective approach to morality. As mentioned previously, hedonism involves seeking pleasure of both the body and mind. The best actions result in maximized pleasure, but this raised the question of which pleasures are relevant. Therefore Bentham used hedonic calculus, consisting of 7 criteria, to calculate the ranking of different pleasures. These criteria could then be applied to evaluate even complex moral dilemmas. John Stuart Mill was greatly influenced by Bentham. Mill formed a more complex form of Utilitarianism by reconciling Bentham’s theory with complex issues that were not included in the original theory. Even though he critiques Bentham, Mill still used the basic framework of Bentham’s theory. Mill defines happiness as pleasure and the absence of pain, â€Å"actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to promote the reverse of happiness. However, he argues that pleasure can differ in quality and quantity. Higher pleasure; such as intellectual, social and creative pursuits (which are more plentiful); are rated higher than baser pleasures, such as bodily pleasures. Furthermore, Mill argues that achieving goals also contribute to happiness. He promotes human dignity. He places focus on the â€Å"Golden Rule† for example â€Å"to love your neighbor as yourself†. He is therefore more concerned about altruism than self interest as in Bentham’s case. And ultimately he views justice as based on utility and the need for human rights exists because they contribute to human happiness. (476) [max 400] Examples + Critique There are positive as well as negative aspects to Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism provides answers and reasons for people to be moral. Despite society having many conflicting moral views and beliefs it is commonly agreed that pleasure is good and pleasure is bad It provides a basic platform for making ethical decisions and also results in objective fairness which contributes to social harmony. It makes use of common sense and is widely practiced and this may result in socially beneficial changes. Utilitarianism is flexible and sensitive to certain circumstances even if there are different views on what is right and wrong in complex situations. Abortions can be used to illustrate the vast variety of views on a certain subject. Some people may be for abortion and some against. Either view has very different consequences for the action they take. Both views may contribute to the greater good depending on the individual. [elaborate ] There are however some negative aspects. Some may view Bentham’s theory as too uncivilized and it is uncertain how Mill can consider one pleasure more important than another. If pleasure is the only criterion it takes us back to Bentham’s theory and this is an example of circular reasoning. Utilitarianism aims to achieve the greatest amount of happiness but also to create happiness of greatest number. Therefore which do you choose: 4 completely happy people and 6 unhappy people, or 10 mildly happy people? This represents the incoherence of the Principle of Utility. Also, can slavery be justified if the benefit to society is greater than the misfortune of the slaves? Is the total happiness of society thus greater than the unhappiness of the slaves? If we also look at an example of where there are two people dying in need of a kidney: a family member and a scientist on the verge of making a cure for cancer, who will you donate your kidney to? Will you abide to your obligation to your family, or will you abide to the greater good of society? (336) [max 300: 150+150] Conclusion: By discussing how Bentham and Mill created the Principle of Utility we have discovered that Utilitarianism aims to satisfy the greater good and greater happiness of society, while avoiding pain and unhappiness. Utilitarians make their decisions depending of their consequences. Even though Utilitarianism does create a foundation for dealing with ethical issues and provides reason for people to be moral, it does not provide enough compensation for individual rights. Also, not everything can be evaluated by the same standard and happiness in itself is more complex than the theory makes provision for. Therefore, Utilitarianism does not fit into modern day society as people are more focused on self-interest and human rights are hugely important. (114).

The Black Death Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Black Death The Black Death, the most severe epidemic in human history, ravaged Europe from 1347-1351. This plague killed entire families at a time and destroyed at least 1,000 villages. Greatly contributing to the Crisis of the Fourteenth Century, the Black Death had many effects beyond its immediate symptoms. Not only did the Black Death take a devastating toll on human life, but it also played a major role in shaping European life in the years following. The Black Death consisted mainly of Bubonic plague, but pneumonic plague was also present in the epidemic. Symptoms of the Bubonic plague included high fever, aching limbs, and blood vomiting. Most characteristic of the disease were swollen lymph nodes, which grew until they finally burst. Death followed soon after. The name "Black Death" not only referred to the sinister nature of the disease, but also to the black coloring of the victims' swollen glands. Pneumonic plague was even more fatal, but it was not as abundant as the Bubonic plague. The first outbreak of the plague was reported in China in the early 1330's. Trade between Asia and Europe had been growing significantly, and in 1347, rat-infested ships from China arrived in Sicily, bringing the disease with them. Since Italy was the center of European commerce, business, and politics, this provided the perfect opportunity for the disease to spread. The plague existed in the rats and was transferred to humans by fleas living on the rats. It struck ...

Pleasure turns Sour – Creative Writing

A big beautiful mansion sitting right up the road of a busy small town. The outer parts is as beautiful as a paradise and it everyman's fantasy with a welcoming golden writing hanging on the beautiful light blue wall. The inner part is as bright as a tunnel with loads of space. The building was so bright that it light up the whole town. I was on a tour with some friends to find an interesting adventure to write in our novel. We have travelled from town to town till we came to this town called GRAVE HILL. The people of Grave hill are very nice people and there were loads of things to write about the town and the way they survive on their little farm and how they live together as a family helping each other in time of trouble. They were very welcoming and made us feel appreciated and they also were willing to help us with our adventure and they also promised to show us around the town but because we arrived late they told us to wait till morning. The only problem we had was accommodation; the people never had a big apartment to accommodate us. You can pass the night in my Attic†¦Said the Old Lady AN ATTIC†¦ exclaimed Sandra Hell no, How can I live my big bedroom all just to come and sleep in an attic, there is absolutely no way that is going to happen (she whispered). We were not thrilled by the old woman's offer so we refuse it. Having being attracted by the golden bright writing ‘A HOME FOR PLEASURE' on the front of the big bright mansion that was up the road we ask the people if we can pass the night there, the people did not hesitate to let us stay there they just told us that if we know that we can stay there alone. YES†¦ We shouted excitedly We are going to be fine alone beside we have sleepovers and we have the whole house to ourselves, so that should not be a problem said Denise. Thrilled and excited about sleeping in a mansion we couldn't wait to get into the mansion. Having led us to the front of the beautiful and bright mansion the people said good night and went back to their hut. Excitedly we walked around the mansion went in and out of the building we saw a big swimming pool,7 double sized bedroom, a kitchen with loads of food and all the necessary things you need in a kitchen, a king sized living room with a big screen TV like the one in the cinema. This is way better than sleeping in some old attic†¦ said Clare. I cannot wait to get in that pool†¦said Denise I am so hungry†¦ said Clare I can wait to sleep in that big sized bedroom†¦ said Sandra What about you, why are u so quiet? Asked Denise Nothing on like you people I'm not so thrilled I just have this bad feeling†¦ I said What is it this time? Asked Clare I'm just surprised and baffled that's all†¦ I said About what? Asked Denise I just don't get it, why is a big beautiful mansion like this being abandoned here? Why is a big building like this built in a small town like this? Who lives here? Were are they? Why is there no evidence that someone live here not even a picture or if it was a hotel why is there no receptionist here? I had enough of you and your feelings we are here already and there is nothing that has happened†¦ said Sandra so why don't we just enjoy our one night stay here without your feelings can you do that for us please†¦ pleaded Sandra. Ok then I will try my best I'm just baffled that all†¦I replied. Denise got in the pool, while Sandra went to bed and Clare to the kitchen while I was left alone scared and baffled in the living room. After couple minute of silence ahhhhhhhhhhhhh†¦screamed Denise What is wrong? I asked as I raced outside to the pool. On getting there I found the pool has turned RED with Denise's body floating around lifelessly. I was so scared so I raced inside to tell my friends then I heard another scream but this time it was coming from the kitchen only to find Clare was no longer in the kitchen but all I found was a cracked egg with BLOOD in it and Clare's body was no were to be find. So scared I raced outside to see if we can get any help on get outside whole town was dark because the house that brightened up the town has turn dark and the golden writing has changed to red writing ‘A HOME OF HORROR' I was so scared I could not go out because it was already dark so I raced back inside to go and get Sandra and explain what has happened to her. on getting up the stair I did not find a big bedroom no more but all I saw was a big dark trench with loads of dead bodies and Sandra was no were to be found. So scared and knowing that I'm not safe I took my pen and wrote all that as happened and I left a note for the people to take to my school in the hope that I might be able to survive this horror. When I finished writing, it was already morning and things were back o normal except my friends were no more.

Bilingual Education Different Cultures And A More...

Types of Bilingual Education Bilingual education is the teaching of a native language providing a better understanding of different cultures and a more meaningful education. In the article â€Å"The Education Effectiveness of Bilingual Education†, Rossell and Baker stated, â€Å"Bilingual education is the use of the native tongue to instruct limited-English-speaking children†, later explaining that this concept in widely used in public schools in the United States. While researching bilingual education, we found that there was a website about an organization called the National Association for Bilingual Education. The organization, founded in 1976, was created specifically to help language-minority students. The plan of this non-profit organization is to overall improve the abilities of culturally diverse students. The author states that NABE creates programs â€Å"because we know that we are investing in our children s education, our nation’s leadership, and ou r world’s well-being†. On the National Association website, I also learned that the Bilingual Education Act was replaced by the No Child Left Behind Act. Another website founded was The Nation’s Leading English Language Advocates. From this website, we found that the definition of bilingual education was the teaching of the native language to non-English speaking children. Founded in the 1970’s, bilingual education was meant to be taught in math, science and social studies in the child’s first language. On this website, weShow MoreRelatedBilingual Education System in China Essay1005 Words   |  5 Pagesin today’s world that bilingual education is becoming one of the most significant issues in the sphere of global education. In comparison with the status of bilingual education (BE) in China, a great deal more is known about its development in countries of Europe and North America (Feng 2007, vii). 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