Self-Quiz 1.1: John Stuart Mill, Hedonism

Mill defines happiness as

having a positive attitude toward one's life.

pleasure and the absence of pain.

the feeling of tranquility that accompanies philosophical reflection.

the accomplishment of one's goals and projects.

Mill claims that it is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied because

human beings possess higher faculties than pigs.

pigs live much shorter lives than humans.

the lives of human beings contain much more variety than those of pigs.

human beings have more freedom than pigs.

Mill claims that the only evidence we can have that something is desirable is that

it is recommended by philosophers.

people actually desire it.

people have been doing it for a long time.

pursuing it does not treat anyone unfairly.

According to Mill, there is nothing ultimately desired except

happiness.

virtue.

wisdom.

all of the above

According to Mill,

both happiness and pain are homogeneous.

happiness is homogeneous and pain is heterogeneous.

happiness is heterogeneous and pain is homogeneous.

both happiness and pain are heterogeneous.

What is the central principle of morality, according to Mill?

Treat others as you'd like to be treated.

Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness.

Always do whatever is in your own interest.

An action is right if and only if God commands it.

According to Mill, what are the liabilities of being a being with "higher faculties"?

More is required to make such a being happy.

Such a being is capable of more acute suffering.

both of the above

none of the above (there are no liabilities)

According to Mill, some people desire money for its own sake because

they are irrational.

they are wicked.

the attainment of money is part of happiness.

There are no such people.

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