Final answer:
John Stuart Mill's form of utilitarianism takes account of both the quality and quantity of pleasure, with an emphasis on higher mental pleasures over lower physical ones, allowing for a more nuanced approach to ethical decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
The form of utilitarianism that takes quality into account along with quantity is the version proposed by John Stuart Mill. Mill introduced qualitative distinctions into the utilitarian calculus, marking a significant departure from the purely quantitative approach of his predecessor, Jeremy Bentham. Mill proposed the concept of higher and lower pleasures, suggesting that mental pleasures have a higher quality and should be given greater weight in moral decision-making than simple physical pleasures. This qualitative assessment is embedded within the principle of utility, which seeks to maximize human happiness and welfare.
Mill's emphasis on the quality of pleasures led to a more nuanced and sophisticated version of utilitarianism, which recognizes that not all pleasures are equal and that some contribute to human well-being in more significant ways than others. This approach allows for a deeper consideration of human experiences and the value of those experiences in the context of utilitarian ethics.