Bentham Flashcards
What kind of theory is utilitarianism?
Teleological
What does teleology focus on?
Consequences
What makes an action good?
If the consequences are favourable
What does relativist mean?
What is right or wrong will depend on the situation
What was Bentham concerned with?
Social and legal reform
What was happening at the time Bentham was writing?
The majority were not represented in parliament and the poor suffered great hardship
What did Bentham want to base his theory on
Scientific principle rather than the Bible
Which sovereign powers did Bentham say nature had placed us under?
Pleasure and pain
What best describes Bentham’s utilitarianism?
It is quantitative
What does quantitative mean?
Concerned with the number of people satisfied by the action
An example of a quantitative situation
A woman considering an abortion would have to consider the effects on her family, existing children and her career against the minute harm it was cause the the baby who is not sentient
Hedonic calculus:
Intensity Duration Certainty Remoteness Likelihood Purity Extent
How does Bentham measure pain and pleasure?
By using the hedonic calculus
An example using animals testing to weigh up the intensity an duration of pleasure
Testing animal to find a cure for cancer would create a more intense and long lasting pleasure for those with cancer and their families. Testing animals for cosmetic purposes would not have the same effect
What would one also have to consider when testing on animals?
Whether the experiment was likely to lead somewhere or be successful, is it worth causing the animal so much pain
