Eastern University

An assignment on semester final

Spring, 2020
Value and Ethics
Submitted by Submitted to

Name: Manjare Hassin Raad Name: Dr. A.K.M Shamsur Rahman

ID: 191100047 Designation: Professor
Group: 11 Faculty: Faculty of Business Administration
Mobile: 01533600883
Faculty: Faculty of Law

HUM-201
Q1: What is ‘Utilitarianism’? What are the statements that
Mill mentioned in supporting his theory?
Answer:
Introduction of ‘Utilitarianism’:

Utilitarianism is a theory of morality, which advocates actions that foster happiness

or pleasure and opposes actions that cause unhappiness or harm. When directed
toward making social, economic, or political decisions, a utilitarian philosophy
would aim for the betterment of society as a whole. Utilitarianism would say that
an action is right if it results in the happiness of the greatest number of people in a
society or a group. So, the main principle of ‘Utilitarianism’ is that “maximum
happiness among the maximum numbers of people.”

Historical analysis of ‘Utilitarianism’:

Utilitarianism is a tradition of ethical philosophy that is associated with Jeremy

Bentham and John Stuart Mill, two late 18th- and 19th-century British
philosophers, economists, and political thinkers. Utilitarianism holds that an action
is right if it tends to promote happiness and wrong if it tends to produce sadness, or
the reverse of happiness—not just the happiness of the actor but that of everyone
affected by it. At work, you display utilitarianism when you take actions to ensure
that the office is a positive environment for your co-workers to be in, and then
make it so for yourself.

Jeremy Bentham describes his "greatest happiness principle" in “Introduction to

the Principles of Morals and Legislation”, a 1789 publication in which he writes:

"Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters,
pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well
as to determine what we shall do."1

John Stuart Mill had many years to absorb and reflect on Jeremy Bentham's
thoughts on utilitarianism by the time he published his own work, ‘Utilitarianism’,
in 1863. The key passage from this book: 

"The creed which accepts as the foundation of morals utility, or the greatest
happiness principle, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to
1
Henry Sidgwick's (1838–1900) The Methods of Ethics (1874)
promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By
happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain,
and the privation of pleasure."2

Mill’s theory on ‘Utilitarianism’:

Mill defines utilitarianism as a theory based on the principle that "actions are right
in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the
reverse of happiness." Mill defines happiness as pleasure and the absence of pain.
He argues that pleasure can differ in quality and quantity, and that pleasures that
are rooted in one's higher faculties should be weighted more heavily than baser
pleasures. Furthermore, Mill argues that people's achievement of goals and ends,
such as virtuous living, should be counted as part of their happiness.

According to Mill,

a) Pleasure is the only thing that is desirable.

b) The only thing that is desirable is the proof of personal pleasure.

c) In our life, we get so many offers but we do not accept all offers. We only
accept one offer where maximum pleasure is found.

d) The pleasure that will desire is the only thing that is a means to pleasure.

e) In our life, we get so many pleasure but we mostly prefer that pleasure which is
satisfied to us.

Comments on Mill’s theory:

Though Mill provides an excellent concept on ‘Utilitarianism’, there are some

weaknesses in his theory. They are-

a) The concept of happiness is not clear. It is very vague and equated either
with pleasures or with the public good.
b) Measurements and the units of happiness are arbitrary and subjective.

2
"Utilitarianism", Ethics Unwrapped.
 
c) Disregard for motives and intrinsic values could lead to immoral and unjust
consequences.
d) The social (altruistic) component could be too demanding if pursued strictly.

Conclusion:

As an abstract ethical doctrine, ‘Utilitarianism’ has established itself as one of the

small number of live options that must be taken into account and either refuted or
accepted by any philosopher taking a position in normative ethics. Utilitarianism
now appears in various modified and complicated formulations.

Q2: What are the factors to prefer higher pleasure

according to Bentham?
Answer:
Introduction of ‘Pleasure’:

Pleasure, in the inclusive usages important in thought about well-being,

experience, and mind, includes the affective positivity of all joy, gladness, liking,
and enjoyment – all our feeling good or happy. Pleasure presents as good and
attractive – itself, when it comes to our notice, and all else that appears aglow in its
light.

When morality is reduced to personal tastes, people exchange the moral question,
“What is good?” for the pleasure question, “What feels good?” They assert their
own desires and then attempt to rationalize their choices with moral language. In
this case, the tail wags the dog. Instead of morality constraining our pleasures (“I
want to do that, but I really shouldn’t”), our pleasures define our morality. This
effort at ethical decision-making is really nothing more than thinly veiled self-
interest—pleasure as ethics.

Jeremy Bentham, the British moralist, discussed about pleasure in ‘An

Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation’. According to him,
“Pleasure and pain govern not only how human beings act but also how human
beings ought to act. The principle of utility or the principle of utilitarianism: I
ought to do that act which will bring about the greatest happiness (pleasure) for
the greatest number of persons (the community).”3

According to Bentham, there are two types of pleasure. They are-

a) Higher pleasure and

b) Lower pleasure.

According to Bentham,

“All sources of pleasure are of equal quality. ... Higher pleasures depend on

distinctively human capacities, which have a more complex cognitive element,
requiring abilities such as rational thought, self-awareness or language use.
Lower pleasures, in contrast, require mere sentience.”4

The important factors to prefer higher pleasure according to Bentham:

Following are the factors that Bentham mentioned to prefer higher pleasure:

a) Certainty: The degree of probability of the pleasantness resulting from

the action.

b) Propinquity: The nearness in the time of pleasant result;

c) Fecundity: The power of the pleasant experience to produce further

pleasant experience in its train;

d) Purity: Freedom from intermixture with unpleasant experience;

e) Extent: The number of persons affected by it.

Conclusion:
3
Ibid
4
Ibid
Human beings have faculties more elevated than the animal appetites, and when
once made conscious of them, do not regard anything as happiness which does not
include their gratification. There is no known Epicurean theory of life which does
not assign to the pleasures of the intellect, of the feelings and imagination, and of
the moral sentiments, a much higher value as pleasures than to those of mere
sensation.5

Q3: What is ‘Virtue’? What are the seven heavenly virtues?

Discuss.
Answer:
Introduction of ‘Virtue’:

The word ‘virtue’ derives from Greek word which means ‘excellence’. In one
sense it denotes to the character or duration of something which has lost its purity,
longevity etc. In case of an object (for example, medicine) when we say that it has
lost its virtue, we mean that it is not good to use. But in case of man’s character
when we say that Mr ‘Rahim has lost his character’, we mean that he has done
something wrong which is bad for his character. We say that Mr. Rahim has lost
his virtue.

In ethics, by virtue we mean the quality of a character that a person belongs to, that
means, virtue is a quality of a character. In this sense a virtuous person does the
right thing in a particular context. It has some universal nature which is always
right. Virtue also denotes to ‘the habit of action’ which also corresponds to the
quality of disposition (activity).

List of seven heavenly virtues:

The list of these seven heavenly virtues is given below:

a) Chastity (purity of behavior):

It is the first virtue of the list which means purity of behaviors of a certain
individual which are acceptable to the ethical principles and custom of the religion
5
JS Mill
or culture he/she belongs to. Chaste people have the possession of clean thought,
words and actions. This virtue helps the individual to be loyal not only with him
but also with his family, friends and over all to the whole humanity. Any
individual can gain this virtue through education and betterment which will assist
him to attain the purity of thought and to embrace moral integrity. Not only that,
chastity will give you the power of refraining antagonism (rivalry), lure (tempt)
and corruption.

b) Temperance (self control):

It is one of the cardinal virtues which mean the moderation in thought, feeling and
action. Temperance is one of the fundamental values that can be seen constantly
across eras and cultures. Years after years this virtue has been studied and
practiced by philosophers and religious intellectuals. This virtue deals with the
desire for physical and spiritual pleasures or on the other words the pleasure of
touch, smell, test and sound. For example the pleasure you can get by smelling a
flower or by seeing beautiful scenery. The needs of life create the rule of reasons;
therefore, the measure of temperance is the order of reason which will help you to
control over excess.

c) Charity (benevolent giving):

In the list of virtues after temperance comes Charity. Do not misinterpret the term
with the modern use of the word as benevolent giving. As in the list virtue charity
means generosity, the unconditional love and kindness for others. As it glorifies
and reflects the nature of God, charity is the said to be the ultimate perfection of
human courage. The love is essential for deliverance and with it no one can be
mislaid. This virtue includes two parts, love of God and love of man. Love of men
comprised of both love of oneself and love of one’s surroundings.
d) Diligence (hard work):
On the list of virtues diligence (industry) is one of the most important virtues. The
word diligence means the quality put in to achieve one's goal. The achievement is
generally done with conviction, persistence and dedication. It also refers to take
utmost care or determination in paying proper awareness to a particular task or any
kind of goals that needs to be accomplished. It often refers as monitoring one’s
own activities when on one else is around him/her.
e) Patience (to calm down):
Wars and conflicts between races, religions are nothing new. From the very
beginning of the human civilization these things were always existed, thus patience
has become an unavoidable virtue in this list. Patience can solve many problems
such as discriminations in a society and clashes between races very easily and
peacefully. This great virtue will give an individual the ability of mercy and would
help to avoid aggressions, animosities and sufferings of human society. So as
whole it can be said that patience will make pursuing peace a lot easier.
f) Kindness (generous):
The sixth position of the list of virtues is occupied by Kindness. Each and every
individual of human society are acquainted with this virtue which is also well
known as values. The importance of this virtue is very evident in every religion,
philosophy and psychology. Kindness means being kind towards other by being
compassionate, friendly and generous.
g) Humility (a quality of being humble):
The last virtue of this list is humility- meaning a quality of being humble,
respectful, courteously obedient, etc. It helps an individual to avoid being
egotistical, scornful, offensive or self-biasing. It teaches how to pursue modesty in
human characteristic. Every religion including Islam, Hinduism, Christianity,
Buddhism, and Sikhism always encouraged people to practice this virtue.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, I can state that a person shall be considered a beast if he is not
capable of having virtues. Besides, British moralist Laird has described ‘virtue’ as
‘righteous quality’. When an individual makes a habit to do the right ‘duty of a
particular kind’ it is known as ‘righteous quality’. He indicates about another
quality of virtue which is known as ‘requisite quality’. The quality by which he
means that an individual may perform both good and bad action is known as
‘requisite quality’.