Abstract:

The aim of this study is to analyse what moral sanction tools are in John Stuart Mill’s (1806-1873) theory of utilitarianism that can encourage an individual to take an action that is considered good or deter an action that is considered bad. According to Mill, moral sanctions are divided into two main groups as external and internal sanctions, and for the society in these two groups, God, conscience, and all other possible sanctions can be used effectively in utilitarian moral theory. However, according to Mill, conscientious sanction has a greater significance among these types of sanctions; since the source of all other forms of sanction is, in some way, external to the individual, whereas conscientious sanction is a kind of internal control mechanism, so a sensitive  conscience is a force beyond external sanctions. In conclusion, according to Mill, all kinds of external sanctions can be used in utilitarian moral theory; however, the main and final solution in this matter is through the conscience education of the individual.