The Utilitarianism of the dead
by Aaron stutz
Looking through Mill’s lens, Mill would believe that the Hispanic tradition of celebrating the dead would be a highly beneficial practice. This tradition requires one to celebrate the passing of another rather than to grieve over a corpse in a box. Through celebration, overall happiness is increased. This increase agrees with Mill’s views on morals. Not only does it agree, but Mill’s relationship with his wife only formed because her husband had died. I believe that, because of this reason, Mill would happily celebrate the dead, even though he would be celebrating for the wrong reasons. Mill even learned to appreciate the role of social and cultural institutions, so he would know how much impact this tradition would have on the happiness of others. Mi9ll once defended the cultural interests of the French minority, so he would be accepting of the Hispanic minority.
The Hispanic concept of the Day of the Dead is when the souls of the deceased (piggy-backing off of Plato’s theory of immortal souls) return to their families during a time of two days. The first to return are the souls of children called “angelitos” for exactly twenty-four hours on the first of November. On the second day (November second) the souls of adults return to the families to join in on the festivities. John Mill, however, was a utilitarian. That meaning that he believed that if an action increased the overall happiness in a group of people than that action was good or morally just. So during the Day of the Dead, lots of families set up altars and decorations for the souls of their loved ones. During the celebration candies and toys are sold, and kids get out of school and play games and set up food in the cemeteries with their families for their passed loved ones.
I believe that John Mill would prefer this Hispanic tradition over American tradition. I believe this because in American tradition families mourn over the death of their loved ones, while in Hispanic tradition families celebrate the death of their loved ones. The Hispanic tradition results in a greater amount of happiness in a greater amount of people unlike the American tradition. This greater happiness would make him happy to be a part of because they agree with his moral standards. Mill believed that the sum of good actions must itself be good, which I n this case it is. Because of the increase in happiness and how the tradition complies with his standards, I believe that Mill would consider this tradition a beautiful one and an improvement on society itself
Citations
"Dia De Los Muertos - DAY OF THE DEAD - AMERICA'S NEWEST HOLIDAY." History of Day of the Dead & the Mexican Sugar Skull Tradition. Web. 26 June 2013.
Wilson, Fred, Wilson. "John Stuart Mill." Stanford University. Stanford University, 03 Jan. 2002. Web. 26 June 2013.
The Hispanic concept of the Day of the Dead is when the souls of the deceased (piggy-backing off of Plato’s theory of immortal souls) return to their families during a time of two days. The first to return are the souls of children called “angelitos” for exactly twenty-four hours on the first of November. On the second day (November second) the souls of adults return to the families to join in on the festivities. John Mill, however, was a utilitarian. That meaning that he believed that if an action increased the overall happiness in a group of people than that action was good or morally just. So during the Day of the Dead, lots of families set up altars and decorations for the souls of their loved ones. During the celebration candies and toys are sold, and kids get out of school and play games and set up food in the cemeteries with their families for their passed loved ones.
I believe that John Mill would prefer this Hispanic tradition over American tradition. I believe this because in American tradition families mourn over the death of their loved ones, while in Hispanic tradition families celebrate the death of their loved ones. The Hispanic tradition results in a greater amount of happiness in a greater amount of people unlike the American tradition. This greater happiness would make him happy to be a part of because they agree with his moral standards. Mill believed that the sum of good actions must itself be good, which I n this case it is. Because of the increase in happiness and how the tradition complies with his standards, I believe that Mill would consider this tradition a beautiful one and an improvement on society itself
Citations
"Dia De Los Muertos - DAY OF THE DEAD - AMERICA'S NEWEST HOLIDAY." History of Day of the Dead & the Mexican Sugar Skull Tradition. Web. 26 June 2013.
Wilson, Fred, Wilson. "John Stuart Mill." Stanford University. Stanford University, 03 Jan. 2002. Web. 26 June 2013.