Keywords

Question 1

Utilitarianism

Answer 1

Act centred consequentialist, teleological moral theory, claiming the right action to be performed is the one which creates the maximum amount of utility

Question 2

Utility

Answer 2

Typically understood as happiness, can be maximised by increasing the most amount of happiness found in pleasure for the most amount of people, or by reducing suffering for as many people as possible.

Question 3

Hedonistic utilitarianism

Answer 3

Argues happiness is ultimately found in pleasure (unhappiness in pain), so maximising utility is focused on the maximisation of pleasure

Question 4

Quantitative hedonistic utilitarians

Answer 4

See the maximisation of pleasure, purely in terms of how much pleasure is produced (quantity)

Question 5

Qualitative hedonistic utilitarians

Answer 5

Some distinguish between different types of pleasure (higher and lower pleasure), quality of pleasure is also important

Question 6

Non hedonistic utilitarianism

Answer 6

Denys happiness is ultimately found in pleasure. it argues pleasure is no the only good eg beauty and companionship are also important goods

Question 7

Act utilitarianism

Answer 7

Argues utility of a particular act is what determines its moral value, rather than in terms of broader rules

Question 8

Rule utilitarianism

Answer 8

The value of an action is found whether it conforms to a rule which generally produces more overall utility

Question 9

Adaptive Preferences

Answer 9

A phenomena identified by Nussbaum whereby individuals in deprived areas learn to be satisfied with restricted options available to them, thus not striving for more

Question 10

Argument from marginal cases

Answer 10

An argument for the moral treatment of some non-human animals proposed by Singer based upon the overlap between marginal cases of sentience in animals and humans

Question 11

Bad

Answer 11

In typical hedonistic utilitarianism; ‘bad’ is often equated with unhappiness (may not be the case for non hedonistic utilitarianism)

Question 12

Certainty

Answer 12

One of the variables in Bentham’s hedonic calculus- how likely it is that the pleasure will occur as a result of the action performed

Question 13

Consequentialism

Answer 13

The view that the moral value of an action is based upon the consequences/results/outcomes of that action

Question 14

Constitutive means

Answer 14

A means is a way to achieve or produce something. Constitutive means are actually component parts of the goal (being with family a constitutive means to end to having a good Christmas)

Question 15

Duration

Answer 15

One of the variables in Bentham hedonic calculus- the length of time which pleasure lasts

Question 16

Equivocation

Answer 16

Using a single word with more than one means in as if it only had one. Eg people keep money in banks, rivers have banks on either side= therefore people keep money on either side of rivers

Question 17

Experience machine

Answer 17

A hypothetical virtual reality machine that wipes a persons memory and makes them think that they have alway lived in a world where they live a life where all their desires are satisfied

Question 18

Extent

Answer 18

One of the variables in Bentham’s hedonic calculus- the number of people who are affected by the action/receive pleasure

Question 19

External Means

Answer 19

Known as instrumental means. Way of achieving a further goal. Eg a car is a way to get to work

Question 20

Fallacy of composition

Answer 20

An error in reasoning, whereby one assumes/argues that because the competent parts of x have the property of y then it must be the case that x also has this property y. (eg we both have an odd number of coins each, so we must have an odd number of coins in general)

Question 21

Fecundity

Answer 21

One of the variables in Bentham’s hedonic calculus- whether or not the pleasure created will lead to further pleasures

Question 22

Good

Answer 22

In typical hedonistic utilitarianism, good is often equated with happiness (may not be the case for non-hedonistic utilitarianism)

Question 23

Hedonic Calculus

Answer 23

Bentham;s method of calculating the total amount of utility caused by an action against seven variables. The sum total of pain is deducted from the sum total of pleasure to find the net utility produced