The application of Bentham’s and Mill’s principles to one ethical issue of your choice apart from abortion and euthanasia

The application of Bentham’s and Mill’s principles to one ethical issue of your choice apart from abortion and euthanasia

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Pillow Angels

Pillow Angels - people who are mental and physically disabled.  

e.g The Ashley Treatment - where her parents stunted her growth so it was easier to care for her.

Mill and Bentham would agree with this treatment due to the fact that it brings the greatest happiness to the greastest number.

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Bentham's Principle

Bentham found pain and pleasure to be the only intrinsic values in the world.  "nature has put man under the governance of two sovereign masters: pleasure and pain."

Act  utilitarianism - when faced with a choice, we must first consider the likely consequences of potential actions - consult our low level moral rules i.e. don't kill, don't lie etc. - and from that, choose a course of action that we believe will maximize pleasure and minimize pain (adopt a top level moral rule). 

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Mill's Principles

Utilitarianism- Mill argued that cultural, intellectual, and spiritual pleasures are of greater value than mere physical pleasure, because the former would be valued more highly by competent judges than the latter. 

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Conclusion

Mill and Bentham would agree with this treatment due to the fact that it brings the greatest happiness to the greastest number.

It helps both the parents and Ashley due to Ashley not beening able to care for herself and needing someone to care for her.

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