Act utilitarianism Provides A More Successful Moral Framework Than Rule Utilitarianism

Question 1

Intro DC

Answer 1

D - Act = a teleological moral theory that is driven by the utility in each individual situation
- Rule = moral theory that focuses on general rules that will maximise the g.g.f.t.g.n
C - this essay will argue that act provides more successful frame work as allows situations to be assessed on an individual basis and uses the hedonic calculus to measure the pain and pleasure caused by an action

Question 2

Pe 1

Answer 2

First reason to support arg is Benthams act allows situations to be assessed on an individual basis, allowing flexibility in the moral theory to maximise pleasure and minimise pain in each specific situation. Recognises that no two situations are the same and so a flexible approach is needed to be useful in decision making (rather than an overarching rule) - e.g in one situation murder is wrong as person was innocent but in another serial killer was murdered so brought the greatest good. An individual approach to different situations allows us to think through decisions more thoroughly rather than just blindly following a rule.

Question 3

A 1

Answer 3

• fits with complexity of humans
• think through decision more likely to be correct decision as have thought through consequences of it throughly
• Epicurus believed humans seek pleasure + try to avoid pain (fits with benthams belive that we are driven by pleasure and pain)

Question 4

C 1

Answer 4

This arg could be refuted by the arg that act utilitarianism is too individualistic and can lead to a loss of justice and rights in decision making (tyranny of majority). Whereas Rule Ut focuses on general rules that will maximise the g.g.f.t.g.n inorder to establish the common good and uphold justice and rights. Mills rule is also a more consistent approach to decision making as it reduces uncertainty as don’t have to calculate each situation.

Question 5

E 1

Answer 5

• rules can lead to a rigidity as identifies whole classes of actions as right or wrong, whereas the effects of actions differ when done in diff contexts and therefore following the rules may not lead to the greatest good (whole point of utilitarianism)

Question 6

Pe 2

Answer 6

Second reason to support arg is act uses the hedonic calculus to measure the pain and pleasure caused by a specific action. The hedonic calculus is a way of quantively comparing pleasures and provides the most useful way of measuring what will bring the most pleasure + least pain. Takes into account 7 factors : intensity (how strong), duration (how long will last), certainty (probability will occur), propinquity (how soon), fecundity (probability will lead to other pleasures), purity (how much pain combined with pleasure), extent (how many people affected). Is a reliable way of measuring benefits or harm of a decision by looking at it’s consequences (“seek always the greatest balance of good over evil”)

Question 7

A 2

Answer 7

• provides a clear systemic approach (provides a structured way to evaluate the morality of actions)
• considers each individuals pleasure equally making theory democratic in nature

Question 8

C 2

Answer 8

Arg could be refuted by arg that act ut case by case approach + use of hedonic calculus in each situation in very time consuming, whereas rule ut offers a quicker approach to decision making as based on a rule that has already been calculated so just have to follow rule - recognises that case by case decision making is unnecessary

Question 9

E 2

Answer 9

• rules reduce time thought over decisions so person may not fully think through decision in enough detail to see will cause pain , act prevents this
• Just because something is doesn’t mean it is better