Mill's Theory, Like Kant's (Reading 2

question 71

Essay

Mill's theory, like Kant's (Reading 2.1), is a comprehensive ethical theory. Therefore, a parallel question about how to respond to its comprehensiveness arises. The issues, again, are as follows: Many people believe that Mill's theory is usually but not always right, asserting that they need flexibility in their decision making. Others reply that if we are going to make exceptions, the point of having a theory is lost, asserting that the reason to have a theory such as utilitarianism is that it is the only way to avoid rationalizing. Who is right and why?

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Definitions:

Sensitization

An increased response to a stimulus following repeated exposures to it.

Habituation

A psychological process where there is a decrease in response to a stimulus after being repeatedly exposed to it.

Higher-order Conditioning

A process where a conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral stimulus, causing the new stimulus to also elicit the conditioned response.

Modeling

A process in social learning theory where individuals learn behaviors, attitudes, or emotional reactions through observing others.