Question 1

In classic utilitarianism, an action resulting in one thousand units of happiness for ten people is better than an action yielding __________.
A) only 900 units for those same ten people
B) happiness that is distributed unevenly
C) happiness that is evenly distributed
D) 1,000 units of happiness for five people

Accepted Answer

Classic utilitarianism evaluates actions based on the total amount of happiness produced. An action resulting in 1,000 units of happiness for ten people is better than one yielding only 900 units for the same ten people, as it maximizes overall happiness.

Question 2

When considering an action's possible production of happiness, Mill thinks the individual should __________.
A) consider only her own happiness
B) consider the happiness of others, provided it does not conflict with her own
C) be impartial and consider the happiness of others as much as her own
D) not be impartial

Accepted Answer

Mill's utilitarianism emphasizes the principle of the greatest happiness, which requires individuals to consider the happiness of others equally with their own, promoting overall well-being.

Question 3

Mill argues that one kind of pleasure is more valuable than another kind if it is __________.
A) more intense
B) preferred by those acquainted with both
C) longer in duration
D) greater in quantity

Accepted Answer

Mill argues that higher pleasures are more valuable than lower ones if they are preferred by those who have experienced both, emphasizing quality over quantity.

Question 4

__________ pleasures are, in Mill's view, found in such experiences as the search for knowledge and the appreciation of art and music.
A) Higher
B) Lower
C) Middle
D) Diffuse

Accepted Answer

Mill's philosophy distinguishes between higher and lower pleasures, with higher pleasures being intellectual and cultural activities like the search for knowledge and appreciation of art and music.

Question 5

An act-utilitarian would endorse euthanasia __________.
A) in all cases
B) in specific cases
C) when it is legal
D) with religious approval

Accepted Answer

An act-utilitarian would endorse euthanasia in specific cases where it maximizes overall happiness or minimizes suffering, rather than in all cases or based on legality or religious approval.

Question 6

The most serious criticism of utilitarianism is that it conflicts with __________.
A) Kantian deontology
B) the law
C) considered moral judgments
D) religious duties

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism is often criticized for conflicting with considered moral judgments because it focuses solely on the consequences of actions, potentially justifying actions that are intuitively immoral if they result in a greater overall good.

Question 7

In utilitarianism, there are no __________.
A) principles to guide action
B) absolute prohibitions or mandates
C) means to determine the moral worth of specific actions
D) means to determine whether or not an action is in conformity with duty

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism is a consequentialist ethical theory that evaluates the moral worth of an action based on its outcomes, specifically the overall happiness or utility produced. It does not adhere to absolute prohibitions or mandates, as the morality of an action is determined by its consequences rather than any intrinsic qualities or adherence to specific rules.

Question 8

Mill thinks that some kinds of pleasures are more valuable than others.

Accepted Answer

Mill argues in his work "Utilitarianism" that pleasures can vary in quality, not just in quantity, and that intellectual and moral pleasures are superior to physical pleasures.

Question 9

Mill believes that the morality of an action depends on the motive of the agent.

Accepted Answer

John Stuart Mill, a proponent of utilitarianism, argues that the morality of an action depends on the consequences it produces, not the motives behind it.

Question 10

Mill asserts that happiness is the sole end of human action.

Accepted Answer

John Stuart Mill, in his work "Utilitarianism," argues that happiness, defined as pleasure and the absence of pain, is the only thing that is desirable as an end in itself, making it the ultimate goal of human action.

Question 11

For Mill, a beast's pleasures can satisfy a human being's conception of happiness.

Accepted Answer

John Stuart Mill argued that human happiness goes beyond mere physical or sensual pleasures, which he considered lower pleasures. He believed that intellectual and moral pleasures, unique to humans, are of higher quality and essential for true happiness.

Question 12

Utilitarianism is the view that right actions are those that maximize the overall well-being of everyone involved.

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that posits the best action is the one that maximizes utility, typically defined as that which produces the greatest well-being of the greatest number of people, thereby focusing on the outcome or consequences of actions to determine their moral worth.

Question 13

Utilitarians think that happiness is the only intrinsic good.

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism is a moral theory that holds happiness or pleasure as the only intrinsic good, aiming for the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

Question 14

Classic utilitarianism emphasizes maximizing the total quantity of net happiness.

Accepted Answer

Classic utilitarianism, as proposed by philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, focuses on the principle of utility, which is about maximizing the total quantity of happiness or pleasure (net happiness) and minimizing suffering across all affected individuals.

Question 15

Utilitarians judge the morality of conduct by multiple standards.

Accepted Answer

Utilitarians judge the morality of conduct by a single standard: the greatest happiness principle, which seeks the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

Question 16

Bentham thinks that there are two kinds of pleasures: higher and lower.

Accepted Answer

Bentham's utilitarian philosophy does not distinguish between higher and lower pleasures; it is John Stuart Mill who introduced this distinction. Bentham believed in quantifying pleasure and pain without considering their nature.

Question 17

Mill was an empiricist philosopher.

Accepted Answer

John Stuart Mill was an empiricist philosopher, emphasizing that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience.

Question 18

Mill was interested in seeing that his liberal and utilitarian ideals be used for the betterment of select members of society.

Accepted Answer

John Stuart Mill was interested in seeing his liberal and utilitarian ideals used for the betterment of all members of society, not just select members. He believed in the greatest happiness principle, which aimed at achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

Question 19

According to Mill, motive has nothing to do with the moral worth of agents.

Accepted Answer

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Question 20

Mill was a rationalist philosopher.

Accepted Answer

John Stuart Mill was primarily an empiricist philosopher, emphasizing experience and observation as the basis for knowledge rather than innate ideas or rational deduction.

Quiz 12: John Stuart Mill and Utilitarianism

In classic utilitarianism, an action resulting in one thousand units of happiness for ten people is better than an action yielding __________.

When considering an action's possible production of happiness, Mill thinks the individual should __________.

Mill argues that one kind of pleasure is more valuable than another kind if it is __________.

__________ pleasures are, in Mill's view, found in such experiences as the search for knowledge and the appreciation of art and music.

An act-utilitarian would endorse euthanasia __________.

The most serious criticism of utilitarianism is that it conflicts with __________.

In utilitarianism, there are no __________.