Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Who were Mill's father and godfather?
What did they do? |
|
Definition
- James Mill
- Jeremy Bentham-Hedonic Calculus
- Both founded Utilitarianism
|
|
|
Term
| Why was Mill's childhood unusual? |
|
Definition
He began rigorous education at a very early age.
- 3-Greek and Algebra
- 8-Latin
- 12-Mathematical Logic
- 13-Political Economy
- 14-Done with studies, and off to France
|
|
|
Term
| Mill had a mental breakdown at age 20. What came of it? |
|
Definition
- Hedonic Paradox: The only way for find happiness is to not think about it. Happiness is not an end, but rather, is achieved through successful accomplishment.
- Intellect is good, but developing feelings and emotions is also important
|
|
|
Term
| What other important works did Mill publish? |
|
Definition
Utilitarianism
On the Subject of Women
Principles of Political Economy |
|
|
Term
| What is Mill's main goal in On Liberty? |
|
Definition
| To determine the "nature and limits of the power which can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual" |
|
|
Term
| What was the most important political concern for people in ancient times? |
|
Definition
| The struggle between liberty and authority |
|
|
Term
| After being introduced to individual rights, what were peoples' main political concern? |
|
Definition
The government being limited in its control over the people.
The government should serve to protect and promote the good of the people. |
|
|
Term
| What justifies our claim to individual liberties? |
|
Definition
The Principle of Utility
"maximizes overall happiness for the greatest number of people" |
|
|
Term
| What kind of tyranny worries Mill most? |
|
Definition
The tyranny of the majority--
either in government control or social influence of prevailing opinion |
|
|
Term
| What is The Principle of Utility? |
|
Definition
"Actions are right as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness"
"By happiness is intended pleasure, and absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain and the privation of pleasure." |
|
|
Term
| How can you apply the Principle of Utility? |
|
Definition
- Find all available courses of action that brings about happiness for the greatest number of people affected by the action
- Each person is counted equally
|
|
|
Term
| What kind of theory is the Principle of Utility? |
|
Definition
| A teleological ethical theory: an action is judged right to the extent that it produces the desired good |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What does Mill's Harm Principle state? |
|
Definition
| "The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others." |
|
|
Term
| What kind of ideology is the Harm Principle? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What kind of ideology is the Principle of Utility? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What does Mill mean by "the power of society?" |
|
Definition
| Government and the majority-the oppressive possibilities of the majority opinion |
|
|
Term
| What is most fundamental to Mill's political theory? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the main goal of applying the Principle of Utility? |
|
Definition
"To provide the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people"
- Find alternative actions/policies
- Identify who will be affected
- Perform a cost/benefit analysis of alternatives
|
|
|
Term
| Examples of applying the Principle of Utility |
|
Definition
Three strikes rule.
Cell phone law. |
|
|
Term
| What is Mill's main argument in support of the Harm Principle? |
|
Definition
"The only purpose for which power can be exercised over any member of civilized society, against his will, is to prevent harm to others."
- Rules out constraint for his/her own good
- Still benefits the majority
|
|
|
Term
| What areas of liberty should be protected by the harm principle? |
|
Definition
- Domain of Inward Consciousness
- Freedom of Tastes/Pursuits
- Freedom of Assembly
|
|
|
Term
| Cases in defending individual freedom to express one's beliefs/opinions? |
|
Definition
- The minority opinion is true; society is wrong
- The minority opinion is false; society is right
- Both minority and majority opinion are in-part true
|
|
|
Term
| Why must we hear an opinion ever if we are convinced it is false? |
|
Definition
- "Dead Dogma"
- "Dissent keeps truth alive"
- People will be able to learn their strengths and weaknesses
|
|
|
Term
| What is Mill's view on conformity? |
|
Definition
- People cannot reach full potential if they conform
- Unoriginal/conformists=apes!
- Conformity results in stagnant, backwards though and action, and ultimately creates less happiness
|
|
|
Term
| Why is the cultivation of individuality so important? |
|
Definition
- It adds to the overall happiness of society
- Allows people to reach their full potential
- You should construct your life as you see fit
- The richest benefit to society are those who develop their individuality and make progressive contributions.
|
|
|
Term
| What happens if individuality is suppressed? |
|
Definition
- We will have conformity and stagnation
- We will not progress
- We will accept mediocrity
|
|
|
Term
| What is our first obligation to society? |
|
Definition
Not harm the interests of others or interfere with their rights
- Source: In exchange for protection from society, we agree to follow this principle
|
|
|
Term
| What is our second obligation to society? |
|
Definition
| To contribute to society by doing your fair share of work and through service, protecting society from harm |
|
|
Term
| When is an action other-regarding? |
|
Definition
- it significantly affects someone to whom we have a specific, assignable duty
- it significantly affects one or more other persons
- there is a definite damage, or definite risk of damage, either to an individual or to the public
|
|
|
Term
| What is a specific assignable duty? |
|
Definition
an issue of being under contract to another, owing another something, or being under obligation to someone...
if any of these fails, you are put under judgement of morality or law |
|
|
