What makes an action right or wrong? Is morality about following rules, respecting rights, or achieving the best outcomes for the greatest number of people? In this episode, we explore Utilitarianism, the influential philosophical essay by John Stuart Mill, first published in 1861. In this concise but powerful work, Mill defends the idea that happiness is the ultimate measure of morality and responds to some of the strongest criticisms of utilitarian thinking. Join us as we examine Mill's arguments, his distinction between higher and lower pleasures, and why this short work continues to shape debates about ethics, law, politics, and public policy more than 160 years after its publication.
