CL - Utilitarianism Flashcards
Who are the notable utilitarians?
Bentham and Milton
What did Bentham call natural rights?
“Nonsense on stilts”
What did B and M say individuals are motivated by?
Self interest and the desire for pleasure
What is utilitarianism?
A moral philosophy
How is the “rightness” of an action determined?
It’s tendency to promote happiness
Which principle can be used to establish which policies or institutions will benefit society at large?
The greatest happiness for the greatest number
What can the principle of “the greatest happiness for the greatest number” be used to establish?
Which policies or institutions will benefit society at large
What is each individual thought to be able to perceive?
His or her own best interests
Who can not determine what is best for an individual?
Any paternal authority such as the state
How can utilitarianism have illiberal implications and why?
The greatest happiness yardstick is quite majoritarian as it allows the interests of the majority to outweigh that of the individual
