MP

Question 1

Who discussed GHP

Answer 1

John Stuart Mill

Question 2

Nozicks

Answer 2

Critisised JSM’s GHP for hedonism

Question 3

Consequentialist/Teleological

Answer 3

The moral worth of an action is determined entirely on the consequences of the act and is teleological because the purpose is to achieve happiness.

Question 4

Relativist (Bentham)

Answer 4

Whether an action is right or wrong is relative to the situation in which the action takes place.

Question 5

Maximism (Bentham)

Answer 5

It doesn’t require that only pleasure is promoted, but that the greatest pleasure for the greatest number of people is secured.

Question 6

Impartial (Bentham)

Answer 6

The theory gives no preference to particular individuals. All that matters is that the greatest happiness is achieved.

Question 7

The hedonic calculus (7)

Answer 7

intensity
extent
propinquity (immediacy)
duration
certainty
fecundity
purity

Question 8

Utility (Bentham)

Answer 8

happiness/ absence of pain

Question 9

The hedonic calculus relating to magnitude (2)

Answer 9

intensity, extent

Question 10

The hedonic calculus relating to time (2)

Answer 10

propinquity, duration

Question 11

The hedonic calculus relating to significance (3)

Answer 11

certainty, fecundity, purity

Question 12

John Stuart Mill

Answer 12

response to Bentham, “it is better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied”

Question 13

JSM Key Principles

Answer 13

• higher pleasures
• lower pleasures
• competent judges
• consequentialist
• response to hedonistic Bentham

Question 14

Bentham and Mill - act or rule

Answer 14

Bentham - act
Mill - rule

Question 15

Act Utilitarianism Problem Examples

Answer 15

Surgeon murdering patient for organs

Question 15

act vs rule utilitarianism

Answer 15

circumstances vs principles

Question 16

hard rule utilitarian criticisms

Answer 16

rigid

Question 17

soft rule utilitarian criticisms

Answer 17

basically act

Question 18

act utilitarianism citicisms

Answer 18

surgeon example, complex to carry out/ impractical

Question 19

utility monster

Answer 19

it would gain more happiness from smth and then would rule and take all resources - illogical

Question 20

strengths of utilitarianism

Answer 20

• happiness :)
• equity

Question 21

weaknesses of utilitarianism

Answer 21

• quantifying happiness is hard
• evil pleasures
• problems with consequences (actual vs predicted, short-term vs long-term, local vs global)
• problems with equity (tyranny of the majority, rights and justice)
• Special Obligations

Question 22

problems with consequences

Answer 22

actual vs predicted, short-term vs long-term, local vs global

Question 23

problems with equity

Answer 23

tyranny of the majority, rights and justice

Question 24

Mill’s response to problems with free speach

Answer 24

it is in the majority’s interests if not desire, to hear free speach

Question 25

Kant main points

Answer 25

• the good will is universal
• duty is the only motive
• reason is sovereign in making duties
• categorical imperatives are our duties
• we have a perfect duty to follow them
• consequences don’t matter
• we can make universal laws from duties
• end in itself formulation

Question 26

a priori

Answer 26

knowledge you had before - logic

Question 27

a posteriori

Answer 27

knowledge you gained after - experience

Question 28

strengths of Kantianism

Answer 28

• logical - accessible to all people
• categorical imperative - clear method
• dignity of humans, rights
• non-religious

Question 29

weaknesses of Kantianism

Answer 29

• disregard for consequences (response - murderer eg, useful for other decisions but not moral ones)
• maxims - morality vs prudence
• conflicting duties