Mill's Theory Vs. Lydgate's Decision Essay

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Middlemarch

apply Mill's theory to Lydgate's decision in chapter 18 on how to vote

Middlemarch: Lydgate's decision

In George Eliot's novel Middlemarch, Dr. Lydgate is an ambitious young physician who wants to reform medicine. When contemplating whom he should vote for in an election between two clergy members, Lydgate is faced with a difficult choice. Mr. Farebrother is a kind, likeable man whom Lydgate finds more personable than the popular, safe choice of Tyke. However, Farebrother gambles for money, a fact that shocks Lydgate. Moreover, the banker Bulstrode supports Tyke. Lydgate craves financial assistance to further his necessary medical work -- work which Lydgate feels is necessary to serve the interests of humanity. Lydgate tends to view the election as an annoyance and supports Tyke more out of convenience and to further his own interests in Middlemarch. "He was really uncertain whether Tyke were not the more suitable candidate, and yet his consciousness told him that if he had been quite free from indirect bias he should have voted for Mr. Farebrother" (Eliot 187).

I would have supported Farebrother. The gambling does not seem to be so pervasive that it is troubling. Also, it is nice to see a clergyman who is not self-righteous and appreciates the foibles of humanity. Ultimately, the chief duty of the clergy is to serve their human flock, and Farebrother seems like the warmer and kinder of the two men.

Step 2

Act utilitarianism would hold that it is not right and just for Lydgate to consider his own interests in the decision-making.

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Instead, he should consider the interests of the parish as a whole. On one hand, Farebrother seems the kinder of the two men, while Tyke is cold and professional. This demeanor is likely to be more helpful in tending to the needs of the majority of parishioners. There is the problem of Farebrother's gambling habit. However, this does not seem to have substantially interfered with his duties of ministering to others up to the point. And, in contrast to Tyke, Farebrother seems to be better able to bring more people into church: "Then, his preaching was ingenious and pithy, like the preaching of the English Church in its robust age, and his sermons were delivered without book. People outside his parish went to hear him; and, since to fill the church was always the most difficult part of a clergyman's function, here was another ground for a careless sense of superiority" (Eliot 177-178) . If one believes that Lydgate's work is necessary, medically speaking, and Bulstrode will only support the work if he supports Tyke, this is a vote in the utilitarian calculus of Tyke's favor. But overall, act utilitarianism focuses more on the immediate future, and the greatest happiness and utility will be produced for the majority of the parishioners and residents of the village if Farebrother is selected.

Step 3

Rule utilitarianism suggests that all moral 'rules' should support the happiness of the greatest number….....

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