Preference Utilitarianism

Question 1

Who are the two main advocates?

Answer 1

R.M Hare and Peter Singer

Question 2

What does it say a morally right action does?

Answer 2

Maximises the satisfaction of preferences

Question 3

Why do preference utilitarians think that all preferences are equal?

Answer 3

Because there can be no higher or lower preferences, as preferances are intrinsically valuable in there own right

Question 4

Hedonistic utilitarianism is objective. What is preference utilitarianism?

Answer 4

Subjective

Question 5

What did Peter Singer argue we should take the interests of into account aswell?

Answer 5

Non human animals

Question 6

What hypothetical did Robert Nozick use to discredit hedonistic utilitarianism in 1974?

Answer 6

The hedonedome

Question 7

What is a preference?

Answer 7

Something that is more desirable or better liked than something else

Question 8

List the strengths

Answer 8

1) easier to take into account as people can clearly state what their preference is in a given situation
2) easier to satisfy preference at a given time than to try and create longer term happiness in the future
3) takes into account when preferences might not be happiness but something else considered as more valuable or serving a greater purpose, such as a person’s preference for justice

Question 9

List the weaknesses

Answer 9

1) could be difficult making decisions when there are conflicting preferences
2) we don’t recognize certain preferences on moral grounds, like the wish of terminally ill people to die because of beliefs surrounding euthanasia
3) some people may not be able to properly express their preference, like the mentally ill or someone without a full understanding of the situation. This necessitates judgements about who is making an informed statement of their preference