Mill's Utilitarianism Basis Of Liberty

Mill is the greatest master of Utilitarianism. However, he is criticized by many people with publish of his works On Liberty and Utilitarianism. Many people think that his utilitarianism is inconsistent with his liberalism. The reason is that: if Mill holds on utility principle, he will violate the individual rights for the sake of the"the greatest happiness of the majority people"; if Mill holds on liberty principle, he will baffle the development of the whole society for defense of the individual rights. In fact, liberalism is based on the utilitarianism; Mill believes that liberty, far from being inconsistent with utility, is justified it. The dissertation aims to have a research on Mill's theory of utility and liberty. Utility is the foundation of the liberty; they aren't inconsistent with each other. For illustrating the consistence, the thesis includes three interrelated components.Chapter One takes analysis of the concept of the happiness and liberty. The purpose is to provide theoretical basis for the consistence. The objectors claim that liberty is inconsistent with utility: if Mill holds on utility, his liberty will face many difficulties and contradictions. In fact, liberalism is based on the utilitarianism; they aren't inconsistent with each other. For illustrating the consistence, we must have an analysis of the concept of the happiness and liberty. Happiness is not an abstract idea, but a concrete whole. However, liberty is endorsed with internal contents, not only as a mean to happiness, but also as a constitutive part of happiness. Hence, from the concept of the happiness and liberty can support the consistence between them.Chapter Two discusses the liberty how to promote utility. From the component of the liberty, liberty includes two aspects: freedom of opinion and freedom of individuality. Freedom of opinion is not only helpful to discover the truth, but also to upgrade the human capacity of rationality; Freedom of individuality is not only helpful to train high capacity and character, but also to the grown of the genius. From the liberty principle, applying of the principle of liberty is also resorted to utility.Chapter Three deeply discusses the liberty how to promote the utility from the opposite side. The objectors claim that if we agree with the consistence between the liberty and the utility, thus will result in the difficulties between them,such as paternalism and slavery difficulties. Paternalism difficulty refers to compellingly intervening in the individual's conduct on the ground of that this intervention will promote the intervened people's interest and happiness. Slavery difficulty refers to that if a society performs the slavery, it will bring much social interest than not performing the slavery. Thus, according to the utility principle, performing the slavery is justified and moral. This implies that utility principle will be resulted in the collapse of the individual rights because the slaves have no freedom under the slavery. Hence, the objectors will deduce that utility is inconsistent with his liberty, and the slavery will be justified by the utility. According to the utility principle,for realizing"the greatest happiness of the majority people", it will permit to pack the slaves. Apparently, this doesn't accord with Mill's opinion. As we all known, Mill strongly opposes the slavery. In fact, solving these difficulties still resort to utilitarianism.Chapter Four points out the rationality and shortage of Mill's opinion. Mill's liberty opinion expands the meaning of happiness, and associates individual liberty with social liberty; and the shortage is that the principle of liberty on the level of applying appears narrow, social liberty lack of general liberty.Epilogue rectifies the unfair idea to utilitarianism and points out that liberty base on the utility again. From the value of liberty, liberty it not only as a mean to happiness, but also as a part of happiness; from the type of liberty, liberty isn't only the negative meaning, but a positive component. Then points that the liberty principle based on the utility, the applying of the principle of liberty is also resorted to utility, solving freedom difficulties still resort to utilitarianism. Hence, liberty isn't inconsistent with the utility, and justified by it. Liberty promotes the realization of the utility,and utility ensures the exertion of liberty。...