Abstract

This teaching resource introduces undergraduate students to Chapter 2 of John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism. John Stuart Mill was an English philosopher and well-known proponent of utilitarianism. This chapter is Mill's attempt to answer 'What is good?' and the implications of our answer for determining which actions are morally right. Mill thinks that, ultimately, happiness is the only thing that is good, and right actions are those which maximise happiness. In providing his answer, he considers and replies to several objections, including that this account is 'worthy of swine', and that it is impossible to always be certain which actions will produce the most happiness over the long-term. This piece introduces summarises the main arguments and guides readers through the chapter, outlining the key concepts and exploring the wider implications of Mill's version of utilitarianism.