Discussion Questions on Chapter 5 of Mill's Utilitarianism

1. According to Mill some wrongful and morally impermissible actions are not unjust, while others are unjust. What features distinguish injustices from other morally wrong actions and states of affairs?

2. What does Mill take moral rights to be? What weight and importance to rights have for a utilitarian such as Mill? See especially page 8.

3. One objection to a utilitarian account of justice is the following argument:

1. If the content of principles of justice are determined by what maximizes total happiness, then the dictates of justice cannot conflict with what maximizes total happiness.

2. There are many occasions where what would maximize happiness apparently conflicts with the requirements of justice.

Thus 3. The content of principles of justice are not determined by what maximizes total happiness.

How would Mill respond?