Evaluation of Utilitarianism

Question 1

Strength of religion

Answer 1

Uilitarism unlike others does not resort to religion to justify how we should act. Making it more attractive for a more secular age

Question 2

Strength in regard to it being Democratic:

Answer 2

Everyone’s happiness is taken into account and each person counts as one in decision making. There are no favourites or special exemptions. In theory, presidents and paupers are treated alike (whether this would be the case idk)

Question 3

Strength of simplicity

Answer 3

Offers decision procedure that enables moral dilemmas to be solved

Question 4

Weakness: measurement

Answer 4

No set measurement for pleasure and pain. If i enjoy kicking people but do not enjoy being kicked, whose pleasure or pain is greater.

Question 5

Weakness: majority

Answer 5

Potential problem for minority groups. For example if a society held homophobic views, what would prevent them from imposing their belief that homosexuality was harmful? To some extent Mill rebuts this by saying the Tyranny of the Majority

Question 6

Weakness: subjective

Answer 6

Subjective Pleasure and pain may be dependent on the individual. We may have different views on what leads to happiness. This may make Singer’s version, based on satisfying preferences, a more viable option than classical utilitarianism.