Philosophy + Ethics - utilitarianism Flashcards
What principle does utilitarianism apply to moral dilemmas?
The principle of utility
What is the main goal of utilitarianism?
To create ‘the greatest good for the greatest number’
What does the principle of utility judge?
How useful something is and how much pleasure it creates
Who proposed the act utilitarianism?
Jeremy Bentham
Who developed rule utilitarianism?
John Stuart Mill
What type of ethical theory is utilitarianism?
Teleological and consequentialist
What does utilitarianism aim to provide?
A practical way to make moral decisions
What does it mean that utilitarianism is relative?
What is right and wrong changes based on the result
What is the underlying absolute rule of utilitarianism?
Greatest good for the greatest number
True or False: Utilitarianism focuses solely on self-interest.
False
What is a critique of utilitarianism regarding individual benefits?
It must address the interest of all, not just self-interest
How does utilitarianism view the ethical considerations of actions?
Based on the outcomes or results of those actions
Who is associated with Act Utilitarianism?
Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)
Bentham is a key figure in the development of utilitarian ethics.
What did Bentham seek in his ethical approach?
An ethical approach which did not relate to or rely on the Bible
Bentham aimed to create a secular ethical framework.
What concept did Bentham focus on that was important to most people?
Happiness
Bentham believed happiness should be the ultimate goal of ethical considerations.
According to Bentham, what governs mankind?
Two sovereign masters: pain and pleasure
This idea underscores the utilitarian principle of maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain.
Fill in the blank: ‘Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, _______ and _______.’
pain; pleasure
What does Bentham argue determines what we ought to do?
Pain and pleasure
This reflects the foundational utilitarian belief in the consequences of actions.
In which work did Bentham express his ideas on governance by pain and pleasure?
An Introduction to the Principles and Morals of Education (1781)
This text outlines his views on ethics and morality.
What is the Principle of Utility?
A system of law developed by Bentham to approve or reject actions based on their ability to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.
How does Bentham define ‘Utility’?
The extent to which an act produces benefit, advantage, pleasure, good, or happiness, or prevents pain, evil, or unhappiness.
What is the measure of right and wrong according to Bentham?
“It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong.”
What is the key democratic principle in Bentham’s utilitarianism?
Promoting the common good and seeking pleasure for the majority while avoiding pain.
Is utilitarianism a selfish ethical theory?
No, it takes everyone into account and focuses on the happiness of the community.
What is the Hedonic Calculus and who was it proposed by?
A process for weighing different decisions by calculating the balance of pleasure as opposed to pain.
proposed by Bentham
List the categories used in Bentham’s Hedonic Calculus.
- Intensity
- Duration
- Certainty
- Proximity
- Fecundity
- Extent
What does ‘Intensity’ refer to in the Hedonic Calculus?
The concentration of happiness achieved.
What does ‘Duration’ refer to in the Hedonic Calculus?
How long the happiness will last.
What does ‘Certainty’ refer to in the Hedonic Calculus?
Whether the happiness is guaranteed.
What does ‘Proximity’ refer to in the Hedonic Calculus?
How soon the happiness will happen.
What does ‘Fecundity’ refer to in the Hedonic Calculus?
Whether the happiness will lead to further happiness.
What does ‘Extent’ refer to in the Hedonic Calculus?
The quality and width of the effects of the happiness achieved.
what utilitarianism does mill support?
What does Mill argue regarding human pleasures compared to animal pleasures?
rule utilitarianism
Human beings have faculties more elevated than the animal appetites
Mill believes that humans possess higher capabilities of pleasure that go beyond mere instinct.
What is a common objection to utilitarianism?
It is a ‘swine ethic’ as it treats us more like pigs than humans
This objection suggests that utilitarianism fails to recognize the complexity of human pleasures.
How does Mill respond to the objection that utilitarianism is a ‘swine ethic’?
Humans have pleasures that animals don’t have
Mill emphasizes that humans seek after higher pleasures beyond basic animalistic desires.
What does Mill state about the desirability of different kinds of pleasure?
Some kinds of pleasure are more desirable and more valuable than others
Mill distinguishes between higher and lower pleasures in his utilitarian framework.
What principle does Mill argue needs to distinguish between quantity and quality?
The utility principle
Mill asserts that both the quantity and quality of pleasures must be considered in utilitarian evaluations.
Fill in the blank: Mill believes that higher pleasures are always better than _______.
lower pleasures
This distinction is critical in understanding Mill’s qualitative approach to utilitarianism.
What example does Mill use to illustrate the difference in quality of pleasure?
Torturing a person for the entertainment of a crowd
Mill argues that the quality of suffering for one person outweighs the happiness of many.
Who was John Stuart Mill a student of?
Bentham
Mill followed and developed the ideas of Jeremy Bentham in utilitarianism.
What does Mill recognize regarding pleasures and pains?
There are different sorts of pleasures and pains
Mill’s utilitarianism focuses on qualitative differences in experiences.
True or False: Mill believes that all pleasures are of equal value.
False
Mill argues that some pleasures are inherently more valuable than others.
What does Mill suggest about human beings’ perception of happiness?
They do not regard anything as happiness which does not include the gratification of elevated faculties
Mill believes that true happiness involves higher pleasures beyond basic instincts.
What is the main idea behind the statement ‘it is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied’?
A being of higher faculties requires more for happiness and can experience more acute suffering than one of an inferior type.
What does utilitarianism recognize about individual good?
Utilitarianism recognizes the importance of our own good if it benefits others more so.
What is the purpose of rule utilitarianism?
Rule utilitarianism sets up rules that benefit the common good to aid in moral decisions.
What are examples of actions that rule utilitarianism generally considers wrong?
Actions such as lying, cheating, stealing.
How can rules in rule utilitarianism change?
Rules can change if society changes.
What is weak rule utilitarianism?
Weak rule utilitarianism allows for exceptions if breaking the rule serves the greatest good more so.
True or False: Once the rules for the greatest good are decided in rule utilitarianism, they can be broken.
False
What is a potential example of a general rule discussed in relation to stealing?
Stealing is generally wrong because it causes more harm to the victim.
