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Flashcards in Chapter 4 Mill Deck (21)
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1
Q

higher pleasures

A

intellect; feelings; imagination; moral sentiments and sensitivities

2
Q

lower pleasures

A

bodily pleasures and physical sensation

3
Q

higher faculties

A

the elevated mental, spiritual and emotional capacities that add to human dignity

4
Q

human dignity

A

sense of self-respect and self-worth, physical and psychological integrity and empowerment

5
Q

inferior type

A

for Mill, those who pursue lower pleasures

6
Q

superior type

A

perceives most sources of happiness as imperfect; satisfied with the exercise of her higher faculties

7
Q

infirmity of character

A

improper development and moral weakness

8
Q

enlightened self-interest

A

Bentham wished to harmonize the interests of the individual with the interests of society

9
Q

personal sacrifice/altruism

A

putting others’ interest before one’s own; doing things for their sake

10
Q

disutility

A

pain and suffering

11
Q

altruistic utilitarianism

A

Mill’s version; contains feelings for humanity and a disinterested and impartial pursuit of the good; greatest happiness of the greatest number

12
Q

incommensurable

A

not able to be judged by the same standard as something

13
Q

mental cultivation

A

the process of trying to acquire or develop a quality or skill; broadening the mind

14
Q

social liberty

A

nature and limits of the power that can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual

15
Q

democracy

A

a system of government in which the citizens exercise power directly or elect representatives from among themselves to form a governing body; rule of the majority

16
Q

What was Bentham’s influence on Mill?

A

Mill accepted Bentham’s principle of utility as the standard for morality; in its defense, Mill developed his own version of utilitarian ethics

17
Q

How are pleasures distinguished?

A

terms of quality; higher, superior and lower, inferior; higher pleasures relate to intellect,imagination, moral sentiments and uncostliness; are ennobling, satisfying and enduring

18
Q

How are higher pleasures risky?

A

cause sensitive, superior-types to suffer more intensely; require stronger character and are more difficult to attain

19
Q

What are the basic philosophical differences between Mill and Bentham?

A

Bentham sees pleasure only in terms of quantity; Mill makes a distinction between quantity and quality.
Mill more altruistic utilitarianism and less egoist than Bentham.
Mill rejects hedonic calculus.

20
Q

What are Mill’s views on human misery?

A

People have duty to minimize suffering; much of misery is humanly caused and therefore humanly correctable; lack of personal enjoyment in life results from selfishness and want of mental cultivation

21
Q

How does Mill conceptualize the relationship between government and the individual?

A

democracy best form of government to allow individual self-expression and self-fulfillment; govt should maximize individual liberties within limits; constraining limits can and should be placed on individuals actions that would harm others.