Philosophy

Utilitarianism: 6 key ideas

by John Stuart Mill

The core ideas of Utilitarianism, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.

1. IDEA 1 OF 6

   Greatest happiness principle

   Actions are right to the degree they promote happiness and wrong to the degree they produce suffering.

2. IDEA 2 OF 6

   Higher pleasures count more

   Pleasures of the mind outweigh bodily pleasures.

   Better a dissatisfied Socrates than a satisfied fool.

3. IDEA 3 OF 6

   Everyone counts equally

   Each person's happiness counts the same as anyone else's, including your own.

4. IDEA 4 OF 6

   Rules as guides

   Calculating every act is impractical.

   Use moral rules that generally promote happiness.

5. IDEA 5 OF 6

   Justice protects key interests

   Rights matter because they protect interests essential to wellbeing.

6. IDEA 6 OF 6

   Morality grows from sympathy

   Moral feeling develops from social instincts and can be cultivated.