3.2.1 Utilitarianism - 3 markers Flashcards
What is utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is a consequentialist normative ethical theory that claims that an actions is morally good, if an only if, it maximises utility.
Utility
The tendency of something (i.e. an action, policy, person) to
cause good effects or the good effect itself that is caused.
What is hedonistic utilitarianism
An action is morally right if and only if it maximises
utility, where utility is understood as pleasure/absence of pain
What is quantitative hedonistic utilitarianism
An action is morally right if and only if it maximises
utility, where (a) utility is understood as pleasure/absence of pain and (b) only the quantity of pleasure/pain is considered.
What is qualitative hedonistic utilitarianism
An action is morally right if and only if it maximises
utility, where (a) utility is understood as pleasure/absence of pain and (b) some pleasures
(higher pleasures) are of higher quality than others (lower pleasures) and are therefore given more weight
What is act utilitarianism
An action is morally right if and only if it maximises
utility. This is decided on a case-by-case basis, such that it is possible for the same type of
action (e.g. a lie) to be morally right on one occasion and not on another.
What is rule utilitarianism
An action is morally right if and only if it is in accordance with a set of rules that will, if accepted, maximise utility.
Non-hedonistic utilitarianism
An action is morally right to the extent that it maximises utility, where utility is not understood as pleasure/the absence of pain.
What is preference utilitarianism
An action is morally right if and only if it maximises
utility, where utility is understood as preference-fulfillment/desire-satisfaction (rather than as
pleasure/the absence of pain). This is a non-hedonistic version of utilitarianism.
