Does utilitarianism provide a helpful method of moral decision making ?

Question 1

What is the intro ?

Answer 1

utilitarianism - ethical system which posits that the most moral thing to do is achieve the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
Originally developed by Jeremy Bentham , further developed by John Stuart Mill.

Question 2

what scolars will you use ?

Answer 2

bentham, mill, robert e goodwin, vardy

Question 3

what is your view ?

Answer 3

its not successful

Question 4

What is your pre point in para 1 ?

Answer 4

give a breif overview of it

Question 5

what is your point in para 1 ?

Answer 5

not everythign should eb based on happuness - society today believes strongyl in principles of justice, rights and protection of minorities which are not reflected in utilitarianism.
minority do not have a voice and causes conflict
Seen as secular - however high percentages of population are religious

Question 6

what does vardy say in para 1?

Answer 6

‘If the word “virtuous” is held to have a meaning apart from the greatest happiness principle, then utilitarianism as a theory or morally may well be a failure”

Question 7

What is the counterargument for para 1 ?

Answer 7

mazimising happiness and minimising pain is arguably already how people live their lives today and therefore its seen as desireable. - fits in well with peoples day to day lives.
Robert E Goodwin - Bentham theory is based on the fact that most people pursure hedonism (the prioritization of pleasure in ones lifestyle , actions or thoughts)
compatible with todays secular views - good for atheists.

Question 8

what is the counterargument of the counteract para 1 ?

Answer 8

majority of people pursue hedonsim - in situation differetn people may have different opinions on whether what the most pleasurable things should be - could cause conflict

Question 9

what is the pre point in para 2 ?

Answer 9

hedonic calculus
method of measuring the goodness which will be derived from an action

It uses purity, duration, certainty, remoteness, richness, purity and extent.

Question 10

what is the point in para 2 ?

Answer 10

not useful because happiness cannot be quantified in the way the hedonic calculus assumes - it is too complex

Question 11

What is the counterargument for para 2 ?

Answer 11

easy to use and provides a clear, practical measure and tool for thinking about happiness.

Question 12

how will you counteract the counterargument in para 2 ?

Answer 12

does not consider teh motive of the action