Utilitas 12 (2):176-203 (2000)
Abstract |
This article develops an unconventional perspective on the utilitarianism of Bentham and Mill in at least four areas. First, it is shown that both authors conceived of utility as irreducibly multi-dimensional, and that Bentham in particular was very much aware of the ambiguity that multi-dimensionality imposes upon optimal choice under the greatest happiness principle. Secondly, I argue that any attribution of intrinsic worth to any form of human behaviour violates the first principles of Bentham's and Mill's utilitarianism, and that this renders both authors immune to the claim by G. E. Moore that they committed a ‘naturalistic fallacy’. Thirdly, in light of these contentions, I find no flaw in Mill's ‘proof of utility’. Fourthly, I use the notion of intrapersonal utility weights to provide an interpretation of Mill's qualitative hedonism that is entirely consistent with his value monism.
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DOI | 10.1017/S0953820800002776 |
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References found in this work BETA
An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation.J. H. Burns, H. L. A. Hart & Jeremy Bentham - 1972 - Philosophy 47 (179):74-79.
Essays on Ethics, Religion and Society.J. S. Mill - 1969 - In John Stuart Mill (ed.), The Collected Works of John Stuart Mill. Liberty Fund.
A Methodological Assessment of Multiple Utility Frameworks: Timothy J. Brennan.Timothy J. Brennan - 1989 - Economics and Philosophy 5 (2):189-208.
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Citations of this work BETA
Bentham on Mensuration: Calculation and Moral Reasoning.Michael Quinn - 2014 - Utilitas 26 (1):61-104.
Bentham on Mensuration: Calculation and Moral Reasoning.Michael Quinn - 2014 - Utilitas 26 (1):61-104.
Research on Well-Being: Some Advice From Jeremy Bentham.David Collard - 2006 - Philosophy of the Social Sciences 36 (3):330-354.
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2010-08-30
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2010-08-30
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118 ( #97,977 of 2,499,676 )
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2 ( #278,274 of 2,499,676 )
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