CH2.4 Utilitarianism Flashcards
What is meant by the principle of utility/greatest happiness?
the idea that the choice that brings about the greatest good for the greatest number is the right choice
What is the hedonic calculus?`
the system for calculating the amount of pain or pleasure generated
What is meant by consequentialism?
ethical theories that see morality as driven by the consequences, rather than actions or character of those concerned
What is meant by hedonistic?
pleasure driven
What is utilitarianism?
it is an ethical theory that looks to create the greatest good for the greatest number.
What does utilitarianism apply to moral problems? and what does this ‘utility’ refer to?
it applies the principle of utility to moral problems. This ‘utility’ refers to the extent to which good and evil is done by a choice.
Rather than deontological ethics, what is utilitarianism?
rather than focusing on rules that should not be broken (deontological ethics), it is teleological, focused on the results
Who proposed utilitarianism?
it was proposed by Jeremy Bentham first and then John Stuart Mill. It is also the adopted theory of the Australian ethicist Peter Singer
For utilitarians, what is ethics not about?
it is not about religion
Who was it that argued that just because god approves an action, it does not make that action right?
Plato
For utilitarians, what is goodness and badness about?
they are about the ends, the things sought, rather than how you seek them, the actions. Utilitarians set aside religious authority and established rules
What is central to utilitarianism?
it is the hedonic calculus, the calculation of the balance between pleasure and pain, and the evil and good that results from any action.
-when looking at a problem, all of the possible alternative courses of action should be considered and each measured in terms of the hedonic calculus.
What do different utilitarian theories emphasise differently? so what is classical utilitarianism?
different utilitarian theories emphasis different sorts of ends.
-classical utilitarianism, the theories of Bentham and Mill, are common examples of consequentialism. This sees goodness as being about happiness, well-being or pleasure, and badness is about the opposite - unhappiness, distress or pain.
-classical utilitarianism is hedonistic
What do classical utilitarians do about happiness? and what are the 2 different ways Bentham and Mill do this?
they measure happiness.
-Bentham measures this is quantitative terms only
-Mill applies qualitative pains and pleasures. Mill thinks that some kinds of pain and pleasure are worth more than other kinds.
Utilitarianism is challenged by those who what?
who argue that is permits us to break rules and does not provide a basis for fairness and justice.
-It relies heavily on being able to know the future consequences of actions, and that it assumes shared or common interests or pleasures, when people might be more diverse in their preferences/interests and pleasures
What was Jeremy Bentham concerned about? and how did his ethical theory start?
-He was concerned about social reform and the situation of the masses.
-His ethical theory started with an observation of what really mattered to people, and this meant confronting the good and evil in life, the happiness and the trails of living.
What does Bentham describe pain and pleasure as?
as our masters, instead of some divine authority. Wherever possible we instinctively try to avoid pain and seek out pleasure.
-Bentham comes to his conclusion through the observation of human life. We respond to our basic needs; the new born seeks to fill its empty stomach, the toddler recoils from the hot radiator. We pursue hobbies that interest us and we avoid unpleasant people and, if possible, jobs we hate.
What does Bentham mean in the quote: “In words a man may pretend to abjure their empire’?
-Bentham is sceptical of the claims people make about their holy lives.
-they claim that they act according to some divine rule but in truth they don’t. This is what Bentham means by this quote.
Given human motivations, what is needed?
a system of law is needed
What did Bentham develop? and what is the utility?
a principle of utility, or greatest happiness theory, to approve or reject every private action and every action of government.
- the utility is the extent to which an act produces ‘benefit, advantage, pleasure, good or happiness’ or prevents ‘the happening of mischief, pain, evil or unhappiness. Utility is what moral behaviour should be looking to maximise
What should moral behaviour be looking to maximise and what should affect our decisions?
-utility is what moral behaviour should ne looking to maximise and the balance between happiness and and sadness caused is what should affect our decisions, not idealised views of moral commandments or rules. This is all according to utilitarianism
What does the principle of utility use and apply?
it uses the human instinct to seek pleasure but applies a democratic principle (hence greatest good for the greatest number)
In the book A Fragment on Government, what does Bentham say about right and wrong?
he says that ‘it is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong’
What does Bentham think is the business of government?
he thinks that ‘the business of government is to promote the happiness of the society.’
