Normative Ethics and Utilitarianism Flashcards
Consequentialism
RESULTS
Determine right and wrong by consequences
Moral decision making is forward making
How will it turn out?
Moral decision making
What should I do?
What is the right thing to do?
Helps figure what is right and wrong and what values to pursue
Consequentialism theory
Must specify what it is about the future
What are we working toward in the future?
Future that makes actions tight or wrong
“Ends justify means”
Deantology
ACTIONS
Not about consequences
“Ends do NOT justify means”
Not forward thinking, about past or present
Utilitarianism
Form/ type normative theory under consequentialism
Tells us future
Hedonism
Hedone= pleasure/ happiness
Claims pleasure and happiness are the only things intrinsically good
Own sake at end
Moral decision making is to produce pleasure and happiness
Egalitarian
Equality
Everyone’s pain and pleasure count the same
Principle of utility
One and only moral obligation is to do what is best for everyone
Maximize utility
Produce as much pleasure and happiness as you can : your moral purpose
Act utilitarianism
What should I do? Who is involved?
Definition of right and wrong
Right actions produce moral pleasure and happiness for EVERYONE affected
Wrong actions produce pain or unhappiness or produce LESS pleasure and happiness
Utilitarianism of moral standing
Those who have sentience experience pain and pleasure
Objection to Act Utilitarianism: Justice
What is just?
People get what they deserve
Guilty people suffer, not the innocent
Ex. Les Miserable case
Objections to Act Utilitarianism: Rights
Right to life
“Rights trump utility”
Individual rights are more important than the good of the group
Ex. Heart transplant case
Rule utilitarianism
Looking at rules NOT actions
Solution to justice and rights
- What rule would maximize utility?
Repeated actions - What action falls under the rule/what is following the rule?
We cannot justify punishing innocent ppl
Utilitarianism of moral standing
Those who have sentience experience pain and pleasure
