Bentham’s utilitarianism

Question 1

What type of theory is this? (3)

Answer 1

1. teleological
2. naturalistic
3. quantitative

Question 2

What is Bentham’s theory also known as?

Answer 2

Act utilitarianism

Question 3

What does Bentham believe about the rightness and wrongness of actions?

Answer 3

That humans understand the rightness and wrongness of actions by looking at the consequences of actions.

Question 4

What does Bentham believe determines if an action is permissible?

Answer 4

if it is the “greatest good for the greatest number”

Question 5

What 3 parts is act utilitarianism split into?

Answer 5

1. Hedonism
2. Principle of utility
3. The hedonic calculus

Question 6

Explain what hedonism is.

Answer 6

• humans are motivated by pleasure (sole good) and pain (sole evil)
• always attempt to maximise pleasure and minimise pain
• this should be what directs all human moral decision making + behaviour

Question 7

Explain the principle of utility.

Answer 7

• the rightness and wrongness of an action is determined by its usefulness (the amount of pleasure and pain caused)

Question 8

What determines an action to be useful (principle of utility)?

Answer 8

Actions are useful if they produce “the greatest good for the greatest number”

Question 9

What is the greatest good according to the principle of utility? (not the quote)

Answer 9

The greatest good is the maximisation of pleasure and the minimisation of pain for the majority.

Question 10

Explain what the hedonic calculus is.

Answer 10

• calculates what action brings the most pleasure
• used to quantify pleasure (act utilitarianism is a quantitative theory)
• takes into account 7 criteria

Question 11

Explain 2 of the criteria for the hedonic calculus.

Answer 11

1. Intensity - how intense the pleasure created is.
2. Certainty - how certain it is the pleasure will actually happen.

Question 12

What criticisms does the hedonic calculus face? (2)

Answer 12

1. Real life actions don’t have time to calculate the right action.
2. can cause complications due to its subjectiveness