Module 6 - Utilitarianism

Question 1

Utilitarianism

Answer 1

ethical theory that takes general interest, common good, and consequences in total as its moral standard
Bridge statement: an act is right iff the act produces optimal consequences in total, relative to every alternative act. If act does that, then utilitarian concludes that an act is right.

Question 2

people (2) who developed utilitarianism

Answer 2

jeremy bentham (1748-1832) and john stewart mill (1806-1873)

Question 3

Jeremy Bentham contribution

Answer 3

developed utilitarianism’s bridge statement, called the Principle of Utility

Question 4

John Stewart Mill contribution

Answer 4

further developed Principle of Utility, called it Greatest Happiness Principle. we dont know if he was an act or a rule utilitarian

Question 5

Theoretical Criticism of Utilitarianism

Answer 5

Trolley Problem (there may be other moral standards to consider that have nothing to do with consequences

Question 6

Trolley Problem

Answer 6

trolley is moving down track. people are tied up at the split. if ou move the split, then one person dies, but if you dont move the split, then more people die. Should you pull the lever?

Question 7

addressing the trolley problem

Answer 7

a utilitarian would assign a number to each person to decide. Would say that you should divert the trolley (kill the 1)
A philosopher would say that assigning numbers to human life is inappropriate. Instead, a philosopher would analyse the problem in terms of what is intended in the choice to pull/not pull the lever. Would argue that killing a human being is worse than letting die (because it involves intent). Would say that it is worse to pull the lever because it is killing.

Question 8

Practical Criticism of Utilitarianism

Answer 8

it is difficult to account for all consequences produced by an act

Question 9

why are there two kinds of utilitarianism/why are they diffeent

Answer 9

because of differences in how the Principle of utility (bridge statement) is best carried out in practice

Question 10

Act Utilitarianism

Answer 10

applies Principle of Utility to individual acts to determine which act is right

Question 11

Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 11

applies Principle of Utility to types of acts and makes general statements, called “rules,” about the utility of those types of acts in order to determine which act is right

Question 12

Theoretical Criticism of Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 12

Fine Tuning Problem

Question 13

Fine Tuning Problem

Answer 13

that suggests that only highly specific rules may theoretically meet the requirement of the Principle of Utility. But if these rules are so specific that it only applies to particular acts, then it basically becomes Act Utilitarianism

Question 14

Practical Criticism of Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 14

its general statements/”rules” sometimes conflict regarding a particular act. When this happens, you must apply the principle of utility again to determine which act is right