Applying Utilitarianism Flashcards
Animal testing and Mills rule utilitarianism
Causes suffering and harm to animals- animals are only capable of lower pleasures.
Cure human diseases, reduce suffering- could allow higher pleasures in cured humans.
Tests on large numbers of animals- quantity is less important than quality- animals (only lower pleasures).
No certainty of success- says to follow the rule which maximises happiness across society.
Animals can’t give consent- the harm principle involves consent but only applies to educated adults.
Animal testing and Bentham’s act utilitarianism
Causes suffering and harm to animals- Duration,certainty, richness, purity, intensity- part of the hedonic calculus.
Cure human diseases, reduce suffering- Duration, extent, richness, not certain.
Reduces human suffering through experimenting on humans- are human pains/pleasures more important than animal ones?
Tests on large numbers of animals- Extent, quantity.
No certainty of success- assesses each situation individually.
Animals can’t give consent- this is not relevant.
Use of nuclear weapons as a deterrent- Bentham Act
No overall rule, judge each situation individually. Hedonic calculus- if it successfully prevents way, then it will maximise pleasure and minimise pain, if it doesn’t prevent war, then money and resources would be better used elsewhere. The trouble is it’s hard to tell whether deterrents work or if there wouldn’t have been a war anyway.
Use of nuclear weapons as a deterrent- Mill Rule
The harm principle says that we should not harm people who are not directly involved which would include civilian casualties in wars. If a nuclear deterrent prevents war, then it’s also providing opportunities for higher pleasures as war would both kill and injure people, destroy their safety preventing higher pleasures. As a weak rule, Mill would be likely to agree that a rule that maximises higher pleasure would be not to use nuclear deterrents at all but these could be used in extreme circumstances. Can be used to support.
