Question

In their formulations of their respective views of Utilitarianism, Bentham and Mill differed on several issues including quantity versus quality of pleasure. Explain this difference and discuss how this relates to the distinction between Act and Rule Utilitarianism. Also, what major criticisms does Mill offer for Bentham’s version of this theory?

Answer 1

According to Bentham value of pleasure is quantitative. Whereas quantity represents itself with shades like-

1. Intensity 2. Duration 3. Proximity 4. Certainty 5. Purity 6. Fretfulness and 7. The number of person affected.

Bentham's Utilitarianism is based on individual experiences of pleasure. It is termed as Hedonistic Utilitarianism.

Mill almost disagreed with with Bentham’s opinion that pleasures are different only in quantity. Mill proposes thet some of the pleasures are inferior and rest are superior. Thus, pleasures differ with the scale of quality and quantity and he introduced qualitative distinctions amongst pleasures.