Bentham's Utilitarian vs. Mill's Utilitarian

Attribute	Bentham's Utilitarian	Mill's Utilitarian
Founder	Jeremy Bentham	John Stuart Mill
Focus	Quantity of pleasure	Quality of pleasure
Principle	Principle of utility	Greatest happiness principle
Measurement	Hedons	Utilitarianism
Application	Act utilitarianism	Rule utilitarianism

Introduction

Utilitarianism is a moral theory that focuses on maximizing overall happiness or pleasure and minimizing pain or suffering. Two prominent figures in the development of utilitarianism are Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. While both Bentham and Mill are considered utilitarians, they have some key differences in their approaches to the theory.

Definition of Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism, as defined by Bentham, is the principle that the right course of action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or pleasure and minimizes overall pain or suffering. This is often referred to as the principle of utility. Bentham believed that pleasure and pain are the only intrinsic values and that all actions should be judged based on their ability to increase pleasure or decrease pain.

Mill, on the other hand, expanded on Bentham's definition of utilitarianism by introducing the concept of higher and lower pleasures. Mill argued that not all pleasures are equal and that some pleasures, such as intellectual or moral pleasures, are of higher quality than others. He believed that the goal of utilitarianism should be to maximize these higher pleasures rather than simply maximizing pleasure in general.

Focus on Happiness

One of the key differences between Bentham's utilitarianism and Mill's utilitarianism is their focus on happiness. Bentham's utilitarianism is often referred to as hedonistic utilitarianism because it prioritizes the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain as the ultimate goal. Bentham believed that all pleasures are of equal value and that the goal of utilitarianism is to maximize the overall amount of pleasure in society.

Mill, on the other hand, believed that not all pleasures are equal and that some pleasures are of higher quality than others. He argued that intellectual and moral pleasures are more valuable than physical pleasures and that the goal of utilitarianism should be to maximize these higher pleasures. Mill's utilitarianism is often referred to as qualitative utilitarianism because it focuses on the quality of pleasure rather than simply the quantity.

Role of Rules and Rights

Another key difference between Bentham's utilitarianism and Mill's utilitarianism is their views on rules and rights. Bentham believed that the principle of utility should be applied directly to individual actions and that the rightness or wrongness of an action should be determined solely by its consequences. He argued that there are no absolute rights or rules and that all actions should be judged based on their ability to maximize overall happiness.

Mill, on the other hand, believed that there are certain rights and rules that should be upheld even if they do not always lead to the greatest overall happiness. He argued that there are certain fundamental rights, such as the right to freedom of speech or the right to privacy, that should be protected even if violating them would lead to greater overall happiness. Mill believed that these rights are essential for the well-being of individuals and society as a whole.

Application to Moral Dilemmas

When it comes to applying utilitarianism to moral dilemmas, Bentham and Mill have different approaches. Bentham's utilitarianism is often criticized for its focus on the quantity of pleasure and its potential to justify actions that may be considered morally wrong. Critics argue that Bentham's utilitarianism could justify actions such as torture or slavery if they were deemed to maximize overall happiness.

Mill's utilitarianism, on the other hand, is often seen as more nuanced and sophisticated in its approach to moral dilemmas. Mill's focus on higher pleasures and the importance of individual rights allows for a more nuanced analysis of moral situations. Mill believed that the goal of utilitarianism should be to maximize overall happiness while also respecting individual rights and upholding certain moral principles.

Conclusion

While both Bentham and Mill are considered utilitarians, they have some key differences in their approaches to the theory. Bentham's utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall happiness and minimizing pain, while Mill's utilitarianism emphasizes the importance of higher pleasures and individual rights. These differences in approach have led to ongoing debates about the nature of utilitarianism and its application to moral dilemmas.