ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -The ethical theory of John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) is most extensively articulated in his classical text Utilitarianism (1861). Its goal is to justify the utilitarian principle as the foundation of morals. This principle says actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote overall human happiness.

Detailed explanation-2: -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.

Detailed explanation-3: -For Mill, morality is constructed around “the good". “The good” is that which is desired for its own sake. Mill tells us that this thing is happiness, because happiness is the only thing desirable for itself and the thing that all of our actions are aimed at.

Detailed explanation-4: -Though the first systematic account of utilitarianism was developed by Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832), the core insight motivating the theory occurred much earlier. That insight is that morally appropriate behavior will not harm others, but instead increase happiness or ‘utility.’

Detailed explanation-5: -To do as one would be done by, and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, constitute the ideal perfection of utilitarian morality.