According to utilitarianism, the motive behind an action is relevant to Select o

Question

According to utilitarianism, the motive behind an action is relevant to

Select one:

A. the morality of the action.

B. the worth of the agent who performs the action.

C. both a and b

D. none of the above

Mill argues that utilitarianism __________ the existence of God.

Select one:

A. is inconsistent with

B. necessitates

C. follows from

D. is consistent with

Mill claims that secondary moral principles

Select one:

A. have no exceptions.

B. sometimes conflict.

C. are of use only to the feeble minded.

D. all of the above

Mill claims that the corollaries of the principle of utility

Select one:

A. are unknowable.

B. admit of no improvement.

C. are of no practical use.

D. admit of indefinite improvement.

On Mill's view, whose happiness is relevant for determining right conduct?

Select one:

A. only the agent's own happiness

B. only the agent's own happiness and the happiness of the agent's loved ones

C. only the happiness of those who deserve to be happy

D. the happiness of all concerned

Explanation / Answer

1. d. None of the above. Utilitarianism judges morality based on the consequences rather than intentions of the person, nor does it make any claims about the worth of the actor.

2. A. Inconsistent with the existence of God. According to J.S Mill, the fact of suffering and misery in the world testifies against the prevalence of a consistently benevolent power such as nature or God since evil is the only necessary truth of life. Thus, if utilitarianism emphasises on the principle of pleasure and securing happiness in the world, then the belief in the existence of God would go against the primary assumption of utilitarianism.

3. B . Mill showed that secondary moral principles can sometimes be in conflict such as the ethical principle of feeding others for greater goodness can come in conflict with the principle of feeding and securing oneself.

4. D. According to Mill, corollaries of the the principle of utility admit of indefinite improvement.

5. D. According to Mill, the happiness of all concerned is crucial. This is because utilitarianism as a moral theory focuses on maximising happiness for the larger number of people as the determining factor for moral decisions.

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