An Analysis Of Similaries And Differences In Utilitarianian Thoughts Of Mozi And John Mill

This paper first demonstrates the utilitarian connotation of Mozi's thoughts from four aspects:the "I" concept as a group to pursue the maximum of interests and achieve the ultimate goal of "benefiting the world";the theory of "fraternity" as a means to satisfy"self-interest";his views of benefits and interests through his theory of "justice leading to benefits",and his substantiation of the utilitarian essence in their relationship.Then this paper interprets the main ideas and arguments of western utilitarianism represented by John Stuart Mill,which are as follows.First,based on the human nature of gaining profits and avoiding loss,he develops pure hedonism into utilitarian happiness.Second,there is a link between individual interests and public interests and the former should be the basis and well-respected.However,individual interests should properly give way to the public interests on certain occasions where they are in conflict.Third,he acknowledges heteronomous morality and fuses it with autonomous morality.The comparison of the utilitarianian thoughts of Mozi and Mill displays that they have many things in common,such as the mutual recognition of human nature to pursue interests rather than run risks,the relationship between personal and public interests,and the acknowledgment of the existence of heteronomous morality and so on.By contrast,they differ in some aspects,such as the balance of "altruism" and selfishness,the emphasis on teleology and consequentialism,and different attitude towards political philosophy.Based on the comparison and contrast,it suggests learning Mill's idea of balance of altruism and selfishness and his emphasis on teleology and consequentialism.It also points out that utilitarianism is still in its inception in China.Finally,this paper reflects that utilitarian thought in China is in its early statge and does not need to develop in a thorough and systematic way.Under the new era background,utilitarianism should be developped meticulously rather than be denied completely.In terms of moral value evaluation in this new era,misunderstanding should first be removed and correct treatment of utilitarianism ought to be promoted.As the thought of utilitarianism remains in the development stage,it is better to meet one's own demands first and then others'rather than to practice unconditional altruism.It is better to judge the nature and behavior of something in a combined perspective of both result and perpose instead of a single perpective.