MORAL UTILITARIANISM EXAM QUESTIONS

Question 1

what is the principle of utility (3 marks)

Answer 1

The principle of utility is a moral principle that states actions should be judged based on their ability to maximize overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people.

Question 2

briefly outline benthams act utilitarianism (3)

Answer 2

Bentham’s act utilitarianism is a consequentialist ethical theory.
It focuses on evaluating individual actions based on their consequences in terms of maximizing overall happiness or utility.
The principle of utility is applied directly to each action to determine its moral value, aiming to maximize happiness and minimize suffering.

Question 3

briefly outline mills utilitarianism 3

Answer 3

mill suggests that an action is right when it complies with rules which, if everybody filled, would lead to the the greatest happiness

Question 4

What is hedonism 3

Answer 4

the belief that when humans act, their sole motivation is the pursuit of pleasure.

Question 5

what does it mean for a utilitarian theory to be non hedonistic 3

Answer 5

A non-hedonistic utilitarian theory is one that considers factors beyond pleasure and pain, taking into account other sources of intrinsic value such as justice, equality, or personal fulfillment when evaluating the moral worth of actions

Question 6

what is preference utilitarianism 3

Answer 6

Preference utilitarianism is a moral theory that focuses on maximizing the satisfaction of individual preferences or desires, considering actions morally right if they fulfill the most preferred outcomes according to individuals’ subjective preferences.