BENTHAM/KANT

Question 1

What were the measurements on the hedonic calculus?

Answer 1

Intensity
Purity
Propinquity (immediacy)
Fecundity (leads to more pleasure)
Purity

Question 2

Positive aspects of Utilitarianism

Answer 2

• caused happiness
• greatest number
• longer term as well as immediate
• relates to ideas of democracy - priorities greater number

Question 3

Negative aspects of Utilitarianism

Answer 3

Only comparative (cannot actually measure)

Aspects of the calculus contradict each other

Does not guide justice

Question 4

Is Utilitarianism comparable with religion?

Answer 4

Yes:
- situation ethics (agapaic calculus)
- (RESPONSE TO 1 of ‘no’) self interest (love your neighbour as yourself) - attempt to get into heaven…
- Jesus set aside law to maximise happiness

No
1 - Christianity is less self interested
2 - more emphasis on rules in religion
- religion focuses more on those in need
- Christianity has a different ‘good’

Question 5

Kant’s ideas

Answer 5

Morality is based on fulfilling ‘obligations’ rather than going on feeling. Lived in the 18th century- age of reason

Therefore no hypothetical imperative- only CATAGORICAL. Cannot be changed for our benefit

Question 6

What rules must a maxim follow?

Answer 6

Universalisability

Humanity (act with human dignity applicable to everyone )

Autonomy - shared commitment towards rationality

This can help you reach the SUMMUM BONUM (greatest good) which can’t be achieved in this life … entitlement to happiness

Question 7

What are Kant’s three postulates?

Answer 7

1 - must be MORALLY FREE to fulfil duties

2 - must be guided by God (to reach the summum bonum = alignment of virtue and happiness)

3 - immortality - as the summum bonum can’t be achieved in life

Question 8

Why is/isnt Kant compatible with Christianity?

Answer 8

YES - NML?
- appeals to our humanity, not treating people as means to an end
- summum bonum = reward
- duty based .. eg stewards of the earth, kingdom of ends, ‘love thy. Neighbour ‘ is duty based as you don’t have to like them
- divine value similar to value of logic

NO
- Christianity encourages goodness not just out of duty - intention takes away meaning

Question 9

Positives of Kant

Answer 9

• duty means morality is not self interest
• universal
• not fear driven
• recognised value of human life

Question 10

Negatives of Kant

Answer 10

Still motivated by summum bonum, or even just ‘duty’, takes away intention

CONSEQUENTIALIST ethics out the window

Doesn’t consider animals