A Final Defense Of Utilitarianism Essay - 746 Words

A final defense of Utilitarianism: In regard to Mill’s Proof of utility, N7 disputes claiming that it commits the fallacy of composition. He is not the first to do so. â€Å"Such allegations began to emerge in Mill’s lifetime, shortly after the publication of Utilitarianism, and persisted for well over a century.†(1) It is important to note however that â€Å"the tide has been turning in recent discussions.†(1) Necip Fikri Alican’s even wrote an entire book on this entitled, â€Å"Mill’s Principle of Utility: A Defense of John Stuart Mill’s Notorious Proof.† Several others have also rejected the claim of fallacy. â€Å"Hall and Popkin defend Mill against this accusation pointing out that he begins Chapter Four by asserting that questions of ultimate ends do not admit of proof, in the ordinary acceptation of the term and that this is common to all first principles. According to Hall and Popkin, therefore, Mill does not attempt to establish that what people do des ire is desirable but merely attempts to make the principles acceptable. The type of proof Mill is offering consists only of some considerations which, Mill thought, might induce an honest and reasonable man to accept utilitarianism.(2) N7 claims that â€Å"all I need to do is show that there is another value which we desire.† Utilitarianism covers this. â€Å"Virtue, according to the utilitarian doctrine, is not naturally and originally part of the end, but it is capable of becoming so; and in those who love it disinterestedly it hasShow MoreRelatedKantian Ethics vs. Utilitarianism Essay1190 Words   |  5 Pages 1.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Explain Onora O’neil’s argument for preferring Kantian ethics to Utilitarianism. 2.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;How would Richard Taylor respond to O’neil’s defense of Kantianism? 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