University of Kansas, Fall 2002
Philosophy 672: History of Ethics
Ben Eggleston

Test Questions / Paper Topics—Mill

Your assignment is either to take the test on Mill’s Utilitarianism or to write a paper on that book. Note that, by the end of the semester, you must have taken tests on two of the four books in the course, and written papers on the other two. Following are details of the two options for Utilitarianism.

I. Test

The test will be given on class on Wednesday, September 18, and will consist of 100 points’ worth of the following questions. There may also be a bonus question or two, not listed here.

  1. (15 points:) Mill discusses two approaches to developing theories of morality: intuitionism and inductivism. Which of these does he advocate (3 points), and what are his two chief distinct (although Mill does not distinguish them very clearly himself) complaints about the other approach (12 points)?
  2. (15 points): Mill neither thoroughly defends nor thoroughly condemns common-sense morality. What is relationship does Mill perceive there to be between common-sense morality and utilitarianism that makes Mill have some appreciation for common-sense morality, and in what way(s) does Mill regard common-sense morality as deficient or in need of utilitarian correction?
  3. (10 points:) How rigorous a proof does Mill think it’s possible to provide in defense of utilitarianism? (Note that this question is not about the content of Mill’s proof, but is about what sort of proof Mill thinks is even possible in regard to theories of final ends, such as utilitarianism, and what sort of proof(s) Mill regards rival theorists as having given for their theories.)
  4. (15 points:) What does Mill say are the two replies that utilitarians can give in order to answer the “doctrine worthy only of swine” objection?
  5. (15 points:) What is Mill’s doctrine of the higher and lower pleasures (7 points), and what is the standard objection to this doctrine (8 points)?
  6. (10 points:) What moral significance does Mill attach to the motive by which an act is done? (Can someone act rightly from a “bad” motive?)
  7. (15 points:) Some interpreters of Mill have claimed that he is a rule utilitarian. Others deny this, maintaining that he is an act utilitarian. What is the strongest evidence on each side of this debate?
  8. (10 points:) What is the difference between the tasks in which Mill is engaged in chapters 3 and 4, respectively?
  9. (15 points:) What are the two most commonly cited problems with Mill’s “proof” of the principle of utility?
  10. (15 points:) In chapter 5, Mill replies to the justice-related objection to utilitarianism. What three distinct tasks constitute pretty much all of Mill’s reply to this objection?
  11. (10 points:) What, according to Mill, makes an act one of wrongdoing and not just inexpediency (5 points), and what further condition does Mill say must be satisfied in order for an act of wrongdoing to be one of injustice (5 points)?
  12. (10 points:) How, according to Mill, does a rule of morality get the status of a rule of justice instead of being a non-justice-related rule of morality?

II. Paper

The paper option is to write a paper of not more than 6 pages (double-spaced, 12-point type) on either (1) one of the following topics or (2) some other topic that you would like to propose to me (in which case, just let me know, and we can discuss it). Your paper will be due in class on Friday, September 20.

  1. Question 2, above, plus: By the end of Utilitarianism, does it seem that Mill has a clear and coherent attitude towards common-sense morality, or is it impossible to unify Mill’s various remarks for and against common-sense morality into a one consistent overall assessment?
  2. Question 5, above, plus: Do you regard the standard objection as succeeding? If so, is there some variation on Mill’s doctrine that would take what Mill calls the “higher ground” equally well, or is any attempt to take this “higher ground” bound to fail? And if not (i.e., if you do not regard the standard objection as succeeding), how would you rebut it?
  3. Question 7, above, plus: Which interpretation do you find more compelling, and why?
  4. Question 10, above, plus: To what extent does Mill succeed in completing these tasks, and to what extent does Mill thereby succeed in refuting the justice-related objection?

In writing your paper you are welcome to use resources beyond those used in class, but you do not need to do so. For additional suggestions about writing philosophy papers generally, see my “Guidelines for Writing a Philosophy Paper.”