Bentham vs. Mill

Attribute	Bentham	Mill
Definition of Utilitarianism	Maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain	Maximizing happiness and minimizing suffering
Focus on Quantity or Quality of Pleasure	Quantity	Quality
Role of Rule Utilitarianism	Supports it	Opposes it
Role of Higher Pleasures	Does not distinguish between higher and lower pleasures	Distinguishes between higher and lower pleasures
View on Individual Rights	Less emphasis on individual rights	Emphasizes individual rights

Background

Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill were two prominent philosophers in the field of ethics and political philosophy during the 19th century. Both Bentham and Mill were utilitarians, meaning they believed that the moral worth of an action is determined by its utility in maximizing happiness or pleasure and minimizing pain or suffering. However, despite their shared utilitarian framework, Bentham and Mill had distinct differences in their approaches to ethics and political philosophy.

Attributes of Bentham

Jeremy Bentham is often considered the founder of utilitarianism and is known for his principle of the greatest happiness of the greatest number. Bentham believed that the rightness or wrongness of an action could be determined by calculating the amount of pleasure and pain it produced for all individuals affected by the action. He developed the hedonic calculus, a method for quantifying pleasure and pain, to help make ethical decisions based on maximizing happiness and minimizing suffering.

Bentham's utilitarianism is often described as being focused on the quantitative aspects of pleasure and pain. He believed that pleasure and pain could be measured objectively and that the goal of ethics should be to maximize pleasure and minimize pain for the greatest number of people. Bentham's approach to ethics was rooted in the idea of rational calculation and the pursuit of the greatest overall happiness.

One of Bentham's key contributions to utilitarianism was his emphasis on the principle of utility as the foundation of morality. He argued that the rightness or wrongness of an action should be judged based on its utility in promoting happiness and reducing suffering. Bentham's utilitarianism was characterized by its emphasis on the consequences of actions and the importance of maximizing overall happiness.

Overall, Bentham's utilitarianism was characterized by its focus on the quantitative measurement of pleasure and pain, the principle of utility as the foundation of morality, and the goal of maximizing overall happiness for the greatest number of people.

Attributes of Mill

John Stuart Mill, a student of Bentham, built upon his predecessor's utilitarian framework and made significant contributions to the field of ethics and political philosophy. Mill is known for his principle of the greatest happiness principle, which states that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.

Unlike Bentham, Mill emphasized the qualitative aspects of pleasure and pain in his utilitarianism. He argued that not all pleasures are equal and that higher pleasures, such as intellectual and moral pleasures, are of greater value than lower pleasures, such as physical pleasures. Mill believed that the quality of pleasure should be taken into account when making ethical decisions.

Mill also introduced the concept of the harm principle, which states that 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. This principle reflects Mill's belief in individual liberty and the importance of limiting government intervention in the lives of individuals.

Another key aspect of Mill's utilitarianism is his emphasis on the development of individuality and the pursuit of personal autonomy. Mill believed that individuals should be free to pursue their own interests and develop their own unique talents and abilities, as long as they do not harm others in the process. This focus on individuality distinguishes Mill's utilitarianism from Bentham's more collective approach.

In summary, Mill's utilitarianism is characterized by its emphasis on the qualitative aspects of pleasure and pain, the harm principle as a limit on government power, and the promotion of individuality and personal autonomy.

Comparison

While Bentham and Mill both subscribed to utilitarianism and shared the goal of maximizing happiness and minimizing suffering, they had distinct differences in their approaches to ethics and political philosophy. Bentham focused on the quantitative measurement of pleasure and pain, the principle of utility as the foundation of morality, and the goal of maximizing overall happiness for the greatest number of people.

On the other hand, Mill emphasized the qualitative aspects of pleasure and pain, the harm principle as a limit on government power, and the promotion of individuality and personal autonomy. Mill's utilitarianism placed a greater emphasis on the quality of pleasure and the development of individuality, in contrast to Bentham's more collective approach.

Overall, Bentham and Mill's differing perspectives on utilitarianism reflect their unique contributions to the field of ethics and political philosophy. While Bentham's utilitarianism was characterized by its focus on the quantitative measurement of pleasure and pain and the principle of utility, Mill's utilitarianism emphasized the qualitative aspects of pleasure and pain, the harm principle, and the promotion of individuality and personal autonomy.