PHIL 111 Lecture : PHIL111 13/14 WEEK 10.docx

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHIL 111
• Professor: Jon Miller

Document Summary

This argument matters because it provides the reason why we should accept it to be true. Mill"s official argument is the proof of utility found in chapter iv of his book. Here is a different way of thinking about mill"s argument in favour of utilitarianism. It establishes that one"s own happiness is desirable to oneself: then, it establishes that general happiness is desirable, finally, it establishes that happiness and happiness alone is desirable. If you consult your own desires, you"ll find that happiness is desirable. No reason can be given why happiness is desirable, except that each person, so far as he believes it to be attainable, desires his own happiness (698rc-699lc) The only way to determine this is by practised self-consciousness and self-observation, assisted by the observation of others (700rc-701lc) Mill connects happiness and rational selection: the more happiness ensuing from an action, the greater reason one has to choose that action.