Compare and contrast the Utilitarianism of Bentham and Mill
Bentham and Mill are the two central figures in classical utilitarianism, but
their views differ in scope, subtlety, and moral emphasis.
1. Core Principles
The key difference between Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill
1806-1873) is how they understand “pleasure” and how it should be measured
and that the moral value of an act was determined by the pleasure it produced.
Both Bentham and Mill agree that the right action is the one that maximizes
happiness (or pleasure) and minimizes pain for the greatest number of people.
•Bentham: Formulated the principle of utility—actions are right if they tend to
promote the greatest happiness of the greatest number.
Mill: Accepted the same foundation but refined what "happiness" means and
how it should be measured
Hedonic Calculus vs. Experience: Bentham developed a "hedonic calculus" or “Rule
of Thumb” to objectively calculate the net pleasure of an action. Mill argued that
because some pleasures are qualitatively better, they cannot be purely measured in
a quantitative calculus.
Focus of Application: Bentham's utilitarianism was used heavily for law reform and
social legislation. Mill was more interested in individual freedom, the role and
function of the state, moral development, rights of women and the long-term well-
being of humanity.
2. Quantitative vs. Qualitative Pleasure
This is the most famous difference between the two.
• Bentham (Quantitative Utilitarianism):
Pleasure and pain differ only in quantity—that is, intensity, duration,
certainty, and extent. All pleasures are commensurable and can be
measured using his hedonic calculus, which is designed to satisfy the
individual desire for pleasure.
→ “Pushpin is as good as poetry”—if it produces the same amount of
pleasure. “Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two
sovereign masters: Pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out
what he ought to do.”
Bentham’s approach is often called quantitative utilitarianism because:
• All pleasures are equal in type
→ Only the amount of pleasure matters, not the kind.
• He developed the hedonic calculus
→ A method to measure the quantity of pleasure using factors like:
o Intensity- How strong or intense the pleasure or pain is.
o Duration
1
, o Certainty or uncertainty How likely or unlikely it is that the pleasure or
pain will occur.
o Extent (how many people)
o Fecundity-The probability that the action will be followed by sensations
of the same kind (e.g., pleasure leading to more pleasure).
o Propinquity (or Remoteness): How soon the pleasure or pain will occur
(nearness in time).
o Purity: The probability that the action will not be followed by sensations
of the opposite kind (e.g., pleasure not followed by pain).
• The Hedonistic Calculus never changes and applies to the situation of each
individual act. It is absolute.
• Famous idea:
→ “Pushpin is as good as poetry” (if it produces equal pleasure)
So for Bentham, the best action is simply:
the one that produces the greatest total quantity of pleasure.
His theory is a teleological argument dealing with ends and consequences of
actions that happiness would lead to the best/right thing to do. The most
useful thong in any moral dilemma is happiness.
Mill (Qualitative Utilitarianism):
The key difference between Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill is how they
understand “pleasure” and how it should be measured.
Mill thought Bentham’s view was too simplistic. His version is called qualitative
utilitarianism:
Not all pleasures are equal.
→ Some pleasures are better than others.
He distinguishes:
Higher pleasures (intellectual, moral, emotional)
Lower pleasures (physical, bodily)
Famous quote:
→ “Better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.”
He introduces the idea of competent judges.
→ People who have experienced both types of pleasure will prefer higher ones.
👉 So for Mill, the best action is:
the one that produces the highest quality of happiness, not just the most.
• Not all pleasures are equal. Some are higher (intellectual, moral, aesthetic)
and therefore more valuable than lower, bodily pleasures.
→ “It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied.”
Mill introduces the idea that quality of pleasure matters as much as
2
Bentham and Mill are the two central figures in classical utilitarianism, but
their views differ in scope, subtlety, and moral emphasis.
1. Core Principles
The key difference between Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill
1806-1873) is how they understand “pleasure” and how it should be measured
and that the moral value of an act was determined by the pleasure it produced.
Both Bentham and Mill agree that the right action is the one that maximizes
happiness (or pleasure) and minimizes pain for the greatest number of people.
•Bentham: Formulated the principle of utility—actions are right if they tend to
promote the greatest happiness of the greatest number.
Mill: Accepted the same foundation but refined what "happiness" means and
how it should be measured
Hedonic Calculus vs. Experience: Bentham developed a "hedonic calculus" or “Rule
of Thumb” to objectively calculate the net pleasure of an action. Mill argued that
because some pleasures are qualitatively better, they cannot be purely measured in
a quantitative calculus.
Focus of Application: Bentham's utilitarianism was used heavily for law reform and
social legislation. Mill was more interested in individual freedom, the role and
function of the state, moral development, rights of women and the long-term well-
being of humanity.
2. Quantitative vs. Qualitative Pleasure
This is the most famous difference between the two.
• Bentham (Quantitative Utilitarianism):
Pleasure and pain differ only in quantity—that is, intensity, duration,
certainty, and extent. All pleasures are commensurable and can be
measured using his hedonic calculus, which is designed to satisfy the
individual desire for pleasure.
→ “Pushpin is as good as poetry”—if it produces the same amount of
pleasure. “Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two
sovereign masters: Pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out
what he ought to do.”
Bentham’s approach is often called quantitative utilitarianism because:
• All pleasures are equal in type
→ Only the amount of pleasure matters, not the kind.
• He developed the hedonic calculus
→ A method to measure the quantity of pleasure using factors like:
o Intensity- How strong or intense the pleasure or pain is.
o Duration
1
, o Certainty or uncertainty How likely or unlikely it is that the pleasure or
pain will occur.
o Extent (how many people)
o Fecundity-The probability that the action will be followed by sensations
of the same kind (e.g., pleasure leading to more pleasure).
o Propinquity (or Remoteness): How soon the pleasure or pain will occur
(nearness in time).
o Purity: The probability that the action will not be followed by sensations
of the opposite kind (e.g., pleasure not followed by pain).
• The Hedonistic Calculus never changes and applies to the situation of each
individual act. It is absolute.
• Famous idea:
→ “Pushpin is as good as poetry” (if it produces equal pleasure)
So for Bentham, the best action is simply:
the one that produces the greatest total quantity of pleasure.
His theory is a teleological argument dealing with ends and consequences of
actions that happiness would lead to the best/right thing to do. The most
useful thong in any moral dilemma is happiness.
Mill (Qualitative Utilitarianism):
The key difference between Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill is how they
understand “pleasure” and how it should be measured.
Mill thought Bentham’s view was too simplistic. His version is called qualitative
utilitarianism:
Not all pleasures are equal.
→ Some pleasures are better than others.
He distinguishes:
Higher pleasures (intellectual, moral, emotional)
Lower pleasures (physical, bodily)
Famous quote:
→ “Better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.”
He introduces the idea of competent judges.
→ People who have experienced both types of pleasure will prefer higher ones.
👉 So for Mill, the best action is:
the one that produces the highest quality of happiness, not just the most.
• Not all pleasures are equal. Some are higher (intellectual, moral, aesthetic)
and therefore more valuable than lower, bodily pleasures.
→ “It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied.”
Mill introduces the idea that quality of pleasure matters as much as
2
