Who was the propounder of the theory of 'Utilitarianism'?

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UGC NET Paper 2: History 28th Feb 2023 Shift 1
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  1. Immanuel Kant
  2. J.S. Mill
  3. Jacques Derrida
  4. Michel Faucault

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Option 2 : J.S. Mill
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UGC NET Paper 1: Held on 21st August 2024 Shift 1
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The propounder of the theory of 'Utilitarianism' was J.S. Mill.Key Points

  • John Stuart Mill was the propounder of the theory of Utilitarianism.
  • He was an English philosopher, economist, and civil servant.
  • He was also a member of Parliament from 1865 to 1868.
  • Mill's most famous work is Utilitarianism, which was published in 1861.
  • In this work, Mill argues that the right action is the one that produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
  • Mill's utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory, meaning that the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by its consequences.
  • Mill argues that the only thing that is intrinsically good is happiness, and that the only thing that is intrinsically bad is pain.
  • He also argues that happiness can be divided into two types: higher pleasures and lower pleasures.
  • Higher pleasures are those that are associated with the use of one's higher faculties, such as reason and imagination.
  • Lower pleasures are those that are associated with the body, such as eating, drinking, and sex.
  • Mill argues that higher pleasures are superior to lower pleasures, even though they may not be as intense.
  • He argues that this is because higher pleasures are more lasting and more satisfying.
  • Mill's utilitarianism has been influential in both philosophy and politics.
  • It has been used to justify a wide range of policies, from economic policies to social policies.

​Therefore based on the above discussion we conclude that The propounder of the theory of 'Utilitarianism' was J.S. Mill.

Additional Information

  • Immanuel Kant:
    • ​Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was a German philosopher known for his theory of knowledge, ethics, and aesthetics.
    • He emphasized reason as the foundation for moral action and argued for the existence of objective moral principles.
    • His works include "Critique of Pure Reason" and "Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals."
  • Jacques Derrida:
    • ​Jacques Derrida (1930-2004) was a French philosopher associated with poststructuralism and deconstruction.
    • He challenged traditional Western philosophy by analyzing language and questioning binary oppositions.
    • Derrida's works, such as "Of Grammatology" and "Writing and Difference," influenced literary theory, cultural studies, and various disciplines across the humanities.
  • Micheal Faucault:
    • ​Michel Foucault (1926-1984) was a French philosopher and social theorist.
    • He explored power relations and knowledge production, analyzing how institutions and discourses shape individuals and societies.
    • His influential works include "Discipline and Punish" and "The History of Sexuality," contributing to fields such as sociology, history, and philosophy.
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