Act Utilitarianism

Question 1

Outline Act Utilitarianism

Answer 1

• Producing the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people
• Bentham’s Utility Calculus (e.g. intensity/duration/certainty/fecundity)
• Concerned with the act, not rules or preference
• Egalitarian theory (each person’s happiness is of equal value)
• “Consequentialist theory”
• Singer argues that animal’s happiness should be considered in decisions

Question 2

Outline the “Hedonism” criticism of Act Utilitarianism (and reply)

Answer 2

Many people criticised Bentham’s hedonistic approach, arguing that animalistic pleasures should not be pursued at the expense of other values

Reply - Mill proposed “higher” and “lower” pleasures. Higher are intellectual, whereas Lower are animalistic. A competent judge with always pick higher pleasures.

Question 3

Outline the “Objection to Mill” criticism of Act Utilitarianism (and reply)

Answer 3

A competent judge may still opt for the lower pleasure.

Reply - There’s a difference between preference and action. A person’s action may be to choose a lower pleasure out of laziness.

Question 4

Outline the “Minority Mistreatment” criticism of Act Utilitarianism (and reply)

Answer 4

Minorities may be susceptible to all kinds of mistreatment (e.g. innocent people being arrested for a crime in order to provide a sense of security to a community)

Reply - The greatest happiness may not have been served here as a false sense of security could create more distress, and the criminal could continue to commit crimes

Question 5

Outline the “Calculating Consequences” criticism of Act Utilitarianism (and reply)

Answer 5

It would be difficult and time consuming to attempt to foresee all potential consequences of an action. Therefore the theory lacks a realistic measure of ethics.

Reply - We can make sensible estimates regarding the outcomes of our actions, otherwise we would never make any choices

Question 6

Outline the “Promises/Family Loyalty” criticism of Act Utilitarianism (and reply)

Answer 6

If we only consider happiness when we make our decisions, then other values will be lost. Values need to be considered when making a promise, and when presented with breaking the promise. Furthermore, if you were given the option to save the life of a movie star, who creates more happiness than your mother, who’s life is also threatened, you would save your mother. Even considering to save the movie star is “one thought too many”.

Reply - Morality is impartial and demanding

Question 7

Outline the “Williams on Integrity” criticism of Act Utilitarianism

Answer 7

This criticism is concerned with the fact that Utilitarianism ignores the crucial role of motives and character in the decision-making process. e.g. if you are held hostage with 20 others, and you are told to kill 1 or they will all die, what do you do? Another person’s actions produce the consequences, but you would be responsible

Question 8

List the 6 criticisms of Act Utilitarianism

Answer 8

Hedonism
Objection to Mill
Minority Mistreatment
Calculating Consequences
Promises/Family Loyalty
Williams on Integrity