Angela Jong

APE Period 7
March 25, 2009

Argumentative Essay Outline: Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill

I. Intro
A. Attn Grabber: Anecdote/Example of doctor given choice to save
4 lives to kill 1
B. Link to how Mills would approve & tell why this is wrong
C. Thesis: Although Mill’s basic principle of pursuing strictly
happiness appeals to our intuitive nature; it is in fact
unachievable because of the conflicting ideas of happiness and
the ultimate perversion of human worth.
II. My happiness is not your happiness & cant compare
A. Monetary gains vs. Intangible such as happiness or love
B. Different morals and perspectives  Cannot be a universal
standard for everyone
C. Inability to compare the benefits, of which is better forms of
happiness
D. Impact: never solve anything, no standard ethics. Different
values
III. Say we take the idea of max happiness max goods for max
people
A. Relate the anecdote
1. Saving the life of 1 vs 4.
2. Lose the ethics if accept util—people just become a
means and not unique anymore
1. Hiroshima & Nagasaki  bomb killed and hurt thousands
and thousands, ended war
IV. Conclusion
B. Uniqueness of life & inability to compare the varying opinions
will ultimately lead to:
1. Conflicting interests, never know standard of right and
wrong
2. Undermine the sanctity of human life.