Utilitarianism

​“The general happiness principle”, according to John Stuart Mill, is a principle that holds true to Utilitarianism. The principle, also known as the “Principle of Utility”, states that actions are right if they maximize overall happiness or general utility. There are various objections to Utilitarianism that Mill argues, one of which is lying. According to Utilitarianism, lying is generally wrong because the Principle of Utility would advise to tell the truth because more people would benefit and utilize happiness as opposed to lying which leads to deception. The Principle of Utility leads to a plausible account of when truthfulness is morally right because it generally promotes overall honesty which leads to trustworthy people in a society that can count on one another, and only permits lying to protect a more serious danger.

​Mill explains multiple reasons as to why lying is wrong based on the Principle of Utility. The Principle of Utility states an action is correct if it produces or maximizes greater happiness or usefulness than the opposite action. The principle emphasizes that the action must better all happiness, not just the individual. Therefore, an estimate must be made of the amount of happiness and unhappiness generated throughout the total number of people affected. The Principle of Utility holds as the first principle to Utilitarianism, but Mills emphasizes secondary moral values that will help chose the most effective way of acting. Without using the first principle, the secondary values are utilized in order to help achieve a decision. When the secondary values conflict with one another, for example, debating whether to steal from someone in order to help someone else, a utilitarian would resort to the Principle of Utility   in order to make an ultimate decision.

Utilitarianism promotes the general happiness, and the act of lying, which is deception, tends to make people unhappy. “Deviation from truth does that much toward weakening the...