deck_3779693 Flashcards
What does a utilitarian look to give
the greatest good for the greatest number
teleological or deontological
teleological
If you are a utilitarian what is more important the act of the consequence
the consequence
Three points that sum up Benthams Util
1) what drives human beings, i.e. ‘mankind is governed by two sovereign masters, pleasure and pain’- look to increase pleasure2)Principle of utility- right/wrong can be determined by its usefulness (how much happiness to the greatest number)3)Hedonic calculus
7 Hedonic calculus
> intensity>fecundity>purity>extent>duration>certainty> remoteness
How does the hedonic calculus work
weighs up pleasure and pain, to make a moral decision
What is a utilitarian
a hedonist- pleasure seeker
Who was John stuart Mill
The greatest philosopher of the 19th century
What changes did Mill make to his util
He distinguished between quantitative and qualitative happiness- between higher and lower pleasures
Mill was a …. util
a Rule utilitarian
Lower pleasures including
mating, food, shelter (animalistic pleasures)
Higher pleasures
e.g. going to the opera
Mill said
> ‘higher pleasures are qualitatively better ‘>’It is better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied’
Challenge of Mills utilitarianism
‘people tend to pursue bodily pleasure, pursue sensual indulgences to the injury of health, aware that health is the greatest good’
What did mill think of Benthams Util.
that it lowered human nature to swine
