Which of the following statements about the ideology of Utilitarianism in the context of British India is / are correct ?
- Utilitarianism believed that the rule of law was necessary for societal betterment
- James Mill expounded the principles of Utilitarianism in his famous book, “Utilitarians and the Raj”
- Utilitarians differed from the liberals in significant ways
- Utilitarianism had distinct authoritarian tendencies
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
1 only
1 and 2 only
3 and 4 only
1, 3 and 4
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2016
– Statement 2: “James Mill expounded the principles of Utilitarianism in his famous book, ‘Utilitarians and the Raj'”. Incorrect. James Mill was a key Utilitarian thinker and wrote extensively about India in his influential “The History of British India”. However, “Utilitarians and the Raj” is not a book *by* James Mill; it sounds like a modern academic title analyzing the influence of Utilitarianism on British rule in India. Mill’s primary work on political theory and utilitarianism is “An Essay on Government”.
– Statement 3: “Utilitarians differed from the liberals in significant ways”. Correct. While Utilitarianism is a strand of classical liberalism, Utilitarians like Mill often adopted a more radical and interventionist stance compared to other liberals regarding India. They were highly critical of Indian society and culture, advocating for sweeping reforms based on abstract principles of utility, often differing from liberals who might have been more cautious or respectful of local customs.
– Statement 4: “Utilitarianism had distinct authoritarian tendencies”. Correct. Utilitarians like James Mill believed that rulers, particularly those informed by rational principles, could determine what maximized utility for the governed population better than the people themselves, especially in societies they deemed ‘backward’. This led to a paternalistic and sometimes authoritarian approach to governance and reform in India, prioritizing efficiency and reform according to Utilitarian principles over self-governance or traditional rights.