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.
- (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)?
- (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?
- (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.)
- (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?
- (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)?
- (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?)
- (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?
- (10 points:) What is the difference between the tasks in which Mill is
engaged in chapters 3 and 4, respectively?
- (15 points:) What are the two most commonly cited problems with Mill’s
“proof” of the principle of utility?
- (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?
- (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)?
- (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.
-
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?
-
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?
-
Question 7, above, plus: Which interpretation do you find
more compelling, and why?
-
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.”