UNC: Phil 160 Second Exam Study
Guide
Mill holds that "of two pleasures, if there be one to which all or almost all who
experience it give a decided preference," then - Correct answer-it is a higher quality
pleasure and has more value
T/F: Mill claims that an individual who is familiar with both intellectual pleasures and
physical pleasures will always choose intellectual pleasures over physical pleasures. -
Correct answer-False
According to Mill, if a certain act produces more happiness (on balance) than any other
alternative, then this action is - Correct answer-morally right, even if some people suffer
Mill thinks when it comes to the pleasures of the higher and lower faculties
A: both can be enjoyed by any creature
B: competent judges recommend avoiding the pleasures of the lower faculties
C: pleasures of the lower faculties are more valuable, since they are easier to satisfy
D: creatures capable of enjoying both who have experienced both usually prefer the
pleasures of the higher faculties
E: both are equally valuable, although most rational creatures prefer pleasures of the
higher faculties. - Correct answer-D
People who choose to satisfy lower rather than higher pleasures often do so, Mill thinks,
because - Correct answer-a weakness of will or infirmity of character
lower pleasures could be easier to satisfy
On Mill's version of Plato's "competent judge" argument, if a majority of people who
have knowledge of 2 different pleasures consistently prefer one to another, this shows -
Correct answer-the preferred pleasure is the higher pleasure
Plato and Aristotle both gave eudaimonia (which is often treated as happiness) a central
role in their moral theories. How does their understanding of eudaimonia differ from
Mill's understanding of happiness? - Correct answer-Eudaimonia is PERSONAL
thriving, where as happiness is the TOTAL OVERALL pleasure compared to pain
Since the maximization of happiness is the end of human action, Mill infers that it -
Correct answer-is the standard of morality
What objection(s) does Mill consider to the principle that ensuring the greatest
happiness is the end of human action? - Correct answer-1. Happiness is unattainable
, 2. People can live without being happy
3. People desire things other than happiness as ends
According to Mill, self-sacrifice is - Correct answer-worthless unless it increases the
overall happiness
Utilitarianism holds that the correct standard according to which the actions of each
person should be judged as right or wrong is - Correct answer-whether it is the best
option available and therefore increases overall happiness
T/F: Morally right actions, according to Mill, never produce unhappiness. - Correct
answer-False
Mill argues that pleasure and freedom from pain (i.e. happiness)
A: is the only thing people desire
B: is only desired by "swine"
C: is the only desirable thing
D: is the best means to desirable ends
E: is the only thing desirable as an end - Correct answer-E
According to Mill, there are different kinds of pleasure, and
A: some are "practically speaking" worthless.
B: all are equally valued and desired
C: some are more desirable and more valuable than others
D: all are equally valuable and desirable
E: only some are valuable - Correct answer-C
T/F: "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" expresses completely the spirit of
utilitarianism. - Correct answer-FALSE
T/F: The great advantage of utilitarianism is that it requires that the sole motive of all our
actions be a feeling of duty. - Correct answer-False
According to Mill, the morality of an action depends entirely on - Correct answer-the
consequences of that action
T/F: According to mill, education to mold human character should be employed to
establish in the mind of every individual an inseparable connection between one's own
happiness and the happiness of all concerned, especially between those actions that
make one happy and those that contribute to overall happiness. - Correct answer-True
Mill's defense to the argument that utilitarianism is godless is that - Correct answer-
utilitarianism and god are compatible if you believe in a god that says we should
increase overall happiness
Guide
Mill holds that "of two pleasures, if there be one to which all or almost all who
experience it give a decided preference," then - Correct answer-it is a higher quality
pleasure and has more value
T/F: Mill claims that an individual who is familiar with both intellectual pleasures and
physical pleasures will always choose intellectual pleasures over physical pleasures. -
Correct answer-False
According to Mill, if a certain act produces more happiness (on balance) than any other
alternative, then this action is - Correct answer-morally right, even if some people suffer
Mill thinks when it comes to the pleasures of the higher and lower faculties
A: both can be enjoyed by any creature
B: competent judges recommend avoiding the pleasures of the lower faculties
C: pleasures of the lower faculties are more valuable, since they are easier to satisfy
D: creatures capable of enjoying both who have experienced both usually prefer the
pleasures of the higher faculties
E: both are equally valuable, although most rational creatures prefer pleasures of the
higher faculties. - Correct answer-D
People who choose to satisfy lower rather than higher pleasures often do so, Mill thinks,
because - Correct answer-a weakness of will or infirmity of character
lower pleasures could be easier to satisfy
On Mill's version of Plato's "competent judge" argument, if a majority of people who
have knowledge of 2 different pleasures consistently prefer one to another, this shows -
Correct answer-the preferred pleasure is the higher pleasure
Plato and Aristotle both gave eudaimonia (which is often treated as happiness) a central
role in their moral theories. How does their understanding of eudaimonia differ from
Mill's understanding of happiness? - Correct answer-Eudaimonia is PERSONAL
thriving, where as happiness is the TOTAL OVERALL pleasure compared to pain
Since the maximization of happiness is the end of human action, Mill infers that it -
Correct answer-is the standard of morality
What objection(s) does Mill consider to the principle that ensuring the greatest
happiness is the end of human action? - Correct answer-1. Happiness is unattainable
, 2. People can live without being happy
3. People desire things other than happiness as ends
According to Mill, self-sacrifice is - Correct answer-worthless unless it increases the
overall happiness
Utilitarianism holds that the correct standard according to which the actions of each
person should be judged as right or wrong is - Correct answer-whether it is the best
option available and therefore increases overall happiness
T/F: Morally right actions, according to Mill, never produce unhappiness. - Correct
answer-False
Mill argues that pleasure and freedom from pain (i.e. happiness)
A: is the only thing people desire
B: is only desired by "swine"
C: is the only desirable thing
D: is the best means to desirable ends
E: is the only thing desirable as an end - Correct answer-E
According to Mill, there are different kinds of pleasure, and
A: some are "practically speaking" worthless.
B: all are equally valued and desired
C: some are more desirable and more valuable than others
D: all are equally valuable and desirable
E: only some are valuable - Correct answer-C
T/F: "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" expresses completely the spirit of
utilitarianism. - Correct answer-FALSE
T/F: The great advantage of utilitarianism is that it requires that the sole motive of all our
actions be a feeling of duty. - Correct answer-False
According to Mill, the morality of an action depends entirely on - Correct answer-the
consequences of that action
T/F: According to mill, education to mold human character should be employed to
establish in the mind of every individual an inseparable connection between one's own
happiness and the happiness of all concerned, especially between those actions that
make one happy and those that contribute to overall happiness. - Correct answer-True
Mill's defense to the argument that utilitarianism is godless is that - Correct answer-
utilitarianism and god are compatible if you believe in a god that says we should
increase overall happiness
