Bentham Formalize Traditional Appeals to Utility and J.S. Mill’s Objection to it

Introduction

This assignment aims to cover the in-depth discussion over different aspects of utilitarianism by highlighting the major philosophy of utility by two major philosophers named Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mills. The term utility refers to the phenomenon that actions by people can be considered correct if they bring happiness and pleasures rather than sorrows or pain. However, regarding the concept of utilitarianism, multiple theories reflect the perspectives and reasons of different philosophers. Therefore, in the following essay perspectives of different philosophers regarding utility have been critically analyzed in detail including its political, economic, and social applications. 

Discussion

Concept of utilitarianism

The term utilitarianism refers to the philosophical view that specifies the way how people should evaluate the diversified range of things which includes choices that people face. Moral codes, actions, policies, laws, and character traits fall under the category of things upon which choices can be evaluated. Generally, utilitarianism is considered a form of consequentialism because it follows the concept that the consequences of activities conducted by one person directly lead to the ultimate judgment of the correctness and wrongness of that certain act or conduct. Furthermore, utilitarianism is considered the major part of consequentialist ethical theories that promote the idea of embracing the actions that can add to the well-being and happiness of individuals. Utilitarianism further relates to the concept of morality that refers to the differentiation of action, policies, and characteristics on basis of what is wrong and right. It evaluates the two dynamics of the situation that is correct and incorrect. In the test of judging the credibility of certain action whether it is right or wrong, people should think of ascertaining correctness rather than depending on consequences. Every person possesses different human behavior and perspectives; thus, it is not necessary that a certain meaning is perceived by one person, another individual also has a similar opinion regarding that phenomenon. Therefore, judging the actions or traits of right and wrong can vary from the person to person. The theory of utilitarianism is the simplest because it follows the single concept regarding what actions and things can produce the best consequences for human beings are considered correct.

Bentham's traditional appeals to utility

Jeremy Bentham is one of the famous English philosophers and political activists renowned for his moral philosophy specifically utilitarianism which supports the concept of evaluating the actions based on their actions. Generally, in the philosophical world, Bentham is considered the greatest philosopher and interpreter of utilitarianism. Through the theory of utilitarianism, Bentham specifies that the relevant consequences of certain activities are those that create overall happiness for everyone. Bentham adopted this principle of greatest happiness and utilitarianism from David Hume, a Scottish philosopher. The principle of Utility proposed by Bentham disapproves of every particular action, policy, trait, or regulation that diminishes or augments the happiness of the life of the related individual. Furthermore, Bentham follows the hedonistic account for value and motivation that highlights what actions are considered valuable and what aspects directly motivate the people. According to Bentham’s perspective, happiness is a matter of experiencing plenty of pleasure and lesser pain. Bentham’s philosophy also focuses on political policies because it follows the belief that different political groups and public policies made by them possess the potential to affect the well-being of a large number of people. Bentham’s philosophy of politics presented the clear vision that government and authorities of the state should consider every policy and code of conduct while designing and before implementing it to ensure that presented principles and regulations hold the potential to maximize the happiness level and comfort the people. 

Bentham also related the phenomenon of utilitarianism to liberty which is considered as a precondition to the extreme level of happiness. The term liberty can be defined as the freedom or state of being independent of oppressive and suppressive restrictions of social or cultural norms. Liberty includes freedom control, regulations, obligations, external power, and conditions. Bentham’s phenomenon of utilitarianism revolves around the concept of happiness and pain because as a philosopher, he believed that calculations and measurement of happiness and pain define the level of comfort and ease of people in life. Bentham accounts for liberty as the absence of restriction and lack of hindrance by others; it represents the freedom of a person and defines the concept of liberty. Furthermore, for taking the stance for liberty, Bentham advocated that sequential termination of slavery can be considered as purely utilitarian because no trace of any regard for the intrinsic value of liberty was identified. Evaluation of Bentham regarding liberty and utilitarianism was against slavery while supporting the concept ‘capital value of productivity by free labor. The person working in a slavery-free environment tends to be more productive and active because they are permitted to perform certain tasks on their own accord and think more creatively rather than following predefined notions. 

While advocating liberty, Bentham is considered the pioneer of the concept of security by relating it to the government power and legislative law by highlighting that legislatures are required to do whatever is beneficial and related to the happiness of people rather than the forceful imposition of laws and policies. Regarding slavery and liberty, Bentham incorporated the concept of feminism and pointed out the slavery of women in different cultures and nations. Bentham advocated for women's rights and demanded their emancipation in politics to provide equal rights in the voting of government and working as executives. Some cultures support male dominancy and suppress women in every aspect of life. Bentham took the very first stance for women's rights and liberty in its introduction to the principles of legislation and morals by attacking the stupidity of nations that relegates women due to their cultural and societal norms. 

Bentham’s aim behind taking the stance over feminism was to point out the concept of liberty for all in different societies and to eliminate the culture of gender discrimination where women are suppressed unreasonably due to predefined cultural values, religious beliefs, and narrow thinking that women should be subjected.  Generally, liberty or freedom is supported and preferred by almost every other person in the world because freedom of speech, thinking, living, behaving, and acting provides a sense of positivity and self-confidence within the person that things are going according to their own will rather than any external pressure. Evaluation of multiple dynamics of Bentham's philosophy and multiple perspectives regarding utilitarianism highlights the quantification of happiness in every opinion. Bentham highlights the significance of the abundance of happiness and its relation to the extent of the well-being of people. 

John Stuart Mill's theory and Objection

John Stuart Mills or J.S Mills is one of the significant British philosophers of the 19th century including civil servant and political economist that has contributed greatly to highlight the concept of utilitarianism and classical liberalism through his multiple theories and philosophies. The goal of Mills proposing the philosophy of utilitarianism was to justify the foundation of morality and propose the principle to simplify what actions can be considered as right or wrong. Regarding utilitarianism, Mills proposed the philosophy which states that certain actions can be considered a right if they the duce happiness among individuals or groups of peopgroupsnd certain activities can also be considered wrong if they bring sorrow. Mills implies that actions can be considered right and appropriate in proportion if it manages to bring happiness and Mills greatly emphasized the consequences and outcomes of the certain action rather than ethical sentiments. In the proposition theory of utilitarianism, Mills objected to the perspective of Bentham by considering happiness and pleasure qualitatively and quantitatively unlike Bentham where the idea of utilitarianism follows the idea of balancing pleasure over pain. Mill distinguished pleasure into two categories which are higher and lower pleasures, Mill specified the higher pleasure as the mental relief and happiness and lower pleasure as the physical relief. 

Furthermore, it specifies that it is highly difficult to calculate the level of pleasure quantitatively. The dispute and objection of Mill towards Bentham illuminate the two separate debates regarding pleasure and the significance of moral philosophy. Mills argued that the theory of well-delivered by Bentham is highly self-effacing and a person would not be able to realize which action could bring extensive pleasures. The concept of well-delivered by Bentham straightforwardly highlights his perspective as a psychological hedonist. Bentham highlighted pleasure and pain as the sole measures to evaluate the well-being of humans and relate the pleasure to which people tend to desire intrinsically. Bentham assumed that things can only be considered intrinsically good if they are desired by the people and emphasized that pleasure can differ only in terms of quantity. This phenomenon of quantifying the pleasure and happiness proposed by Bentham was objected to by Mill's proposition of dividing pleasure into a lower and higher levels. 

Mill objected to Bentham’s philosophy based on the belief that different types of pleasures are more valuable than generalizing all in one. Mills argued that pleasure and pain are not the only components to ensure the well-being of humans as every person's source and measure of happiness and pleasure can be different. Some people advocate mental relief and peace for pleasure while some people prefer physical inclines over well-being. For this purpose, John Stuart Mill’s ideas in the philosophical world refer as qualitative hedonism because it aims to measure happiness and pleasures on the parameters of quality. Hedonism refers to the school of thought which implies that sufferings and pleasure are the only components to ensure well-being. 

Similar to Bentham, Mill also highlighted the philosophy of liberty which asserts that every individual should possess equal rights and freedom to act as they want but their action should not cause any harm to others. Furthermore, Mills advocates that no one is permitted to interfere or force anyone’s activities or practices until their actions cause any harm to another person or the well-being of the environment. The philosophy of liberty proposed by Mills aligns with the various liberal democracies because promotes the concept of individualism and freedom. While considering the concept of liberty for individuals and groups, Mills also proposed the philosophy regarding women's rights and their contribution to creating happiness. 

While addressing the theory of women's rights, Mill asserted that the liberation of women in the nation can introduce two imperative benefits. Firstly, it will be highly advantageous for society because when women will get equal rights and opportunities, it would trigger contributions by them in different fields. Secondly, granting autonomy and freedom to women by allowing them to participate in important prospects rather than oppressing them can create a source of happiness for them. The mill is also regarded as a liberal feminist because of his multiple stances in favor of women and their equal rights. Being a member of parliament and civil servant, Mill raised the point that every individual should possess the equal right to vote and participates which are inclusive for both men and women. 

Conclusion

This essay concludes the in-depth discussion and analysis of multiple aspects of utilitarian philosophy that include theories and perspectives of different philosophers related to pleasure, happiness, actions, politics, liberty, and feminism. Furthermore, in this essay, the philosophies of utilitarianism proposed by Bentham and Mill have been evaluated critically regarding the way they support and object to each other. Philosophies refer to the beliefs, ideas, reasons, and justification of individuals regarding certain phenomena. It can vary according to the difference in perspectives and thinking capabilities. Therefore, the existence of differences and contradictions between the philosophies of Bentham and Mills regarding utilitarianism is an ongoing phenomenon since both can be considered right.