John Stuart Mill s Moral Philosophy From A Utilitarian...

Utilitarianism 2.0 How do we apply aged philosophies to present day problems? Like his forefather John Stuart Mill, modern thinker Peter Singer approaches moral philosophy from a utilitarian perspective. In this paper, I will argue that Singer’s and Mill’s utilitarian philosophies share numerous similarities but also differ. Singer and Mill agree that selflessness can end human suffering. In addition, their views concerning the significance of consequences align; however, they conflict on the relevance of motivation. I contend that Singer improves upon Mill’s utilitarianism by accurately recognizing the discrepancy between absolute affluence and absolute poverty and also by considering the intricate concept of motive. Singer and Mill’s†¦show more content†¦Thus, the problem rests in the selfishness of affluent nations who do not distribute their grain to poor nations. By evenly distributing food, human suffering caused by absolute poverty could cease to exist. However, while both utilitarians promote selflessness as beneficial, they do so from different angles. Singer does not advocate unselfishness to increase our happiness, but because it is morally right. While Mill labels selfishness as the root of unhappiness in humans, Singer states instead that absolute poverty is â€Å"the principal cause of human misery† (Singer 220). Thus, Mill encourages unselfishness to end the suffering of the one who gives while Singer encourages it to end the suffering of the one who receives. Mill and Singer agree that consequences are more important than motive yet disagree on motive’s relevance. Mill states that right actions do â€Å"not necessarily indicate a virtuous characterâ⠂¬  and that blamable actions â€Å"often proceed from qualities entitled to praise† (Mill 20). Similarly, Singer states that â€Å"there is no intrinsic difference between killing and allowing to die† (Singer 224). He uses the analogy of the travelling salesman to illustrate this argument’s dependence on consequence. In this analogy, a travelling salesman sells food that he knows contains a contaminant that doubles the risk of stomach cancer, yet he continues to sell the food. His lack of certain, identifiable victims does not render thisShow MoreRelatedUtilitarian Perspective On Feminism1563 Words   |  7 PagesA Utilitarian Perspective on Women’s Rights John Stuart Mill’s discussion of the subjection of women leaves many scholars regarding him as one of the first feminist philosophers of his time. His work analyzes and questions the everyday perspectives on women’s rights, and challenges common societal notions. Many philosophers today look to his work for a variety of reasons; some applaud his work for being ahead of it’s time. Others dismiss it, claiming that it’s flawed due to personal attachment.Read MoreThe Ethics Of Care : An Argument Against Mill s Utilitarianism922 Words   |  4 PagesDostoevsky. Held (2006) defines the problem of utilitarian ethics as an abstraction of emotions in moral issues, which alienates the individual in the care process. This method denies the premise of care† when Raskolnikov decides to murder an old man in order to rationalize the death of woman to save the lives of thousands in terms of health care. Held would view Raskolnikov’s descent into criminal be havior as part of this immoral aspect of Mill s theory of values. More so, Held (2006) would discernRead MoreComparing Aristotle And John Stuart Mill1130 Words   |  5 Pagesthe beginning of philosophy and continues to be a questionable issue. With these in-depth examinations, some similar outlooks as well as differing views have been recorded. 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Fundamental to Mills theory is the Greatest Happiness Principle(The Principle of Utility)Read MoreJohn Stuart Mill on Classical Liberalism and Modern Liberalism2119 Words   |  9 PagesJohn Stuart Mill was a classical liberal thinker and believed, through the influence of his father, that man deserved to live a life that promoted the greatest amount of happiness with limited government intervention. 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