John Stuart Mill Proposed the Following Argument for Utilitarianism: "No

question 8

Multiple Choice

John Stuart Mill proposed the following argument for utilitarianism: "No reason can be given why the general happiness is desirable, except that each person, so far as he believes it to be attainable, desires his own happiness." How might one criticize it?

• A) This argument is problematic because Mill seeks to derive an "ought" from an "is."
• B) This argument is problematic because Mill was a well-known supporter of duty ethics.
• C) This argument is problematic because the conclusion is a factual statement, not a moral one.
• D) This argument is problematic because Mill confused happiness with Aristotle's notion of Eudaimonia.

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Definitions:

Operational Definition

A clear, detailed description of a process, concept, or variable in terms of the procedures or operations required to measure it.

Depression

A mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, affecting daily functioning.

Conscientiousness

A personality trait characterized by being thorough, careful, or vigilant; entails a strong sense of duty and being responsible.

Determinism

The philosophical concept that every event or state of affairs, including every human decision and action, is the consequence of preceding events in accordance with the natural laws.