Quiz 2 - Utilitarianism

Question 1

what is objective value?

Answer 1

Objective Value – the view that values are not the products of our affections.

Question 2

what is subjective value?

Answer 2

the view that values are the product of our affections. something has value once we’ve conferred our desires onto it.

Question 3

what is bentham’s utilitarianism (is it hedon, eud, or DST?)

Answer 3

hedonism. of the actions available, you ought to do that which results in least pain for all.

Question 4

bell analogy?

Answer 4

all pleasures are qualitatively similar! only intensity and duration change. small bells that ring for short time v big ones that ring for long

Question 5

problems for bentham?

Answer 5

-pleasures are diferent (child love, tv love); not all pleasure is intrinsically good (psycho sadist), things we like other than just pleasure (nozick happy machine)

Question 6

what is john stuart mill’s utilitarianism (hed, eud, or DST?)

Answer 6

eudaimonaism - of actions available, do that which results in most net flourishing for all.

Question 7

what are some elements that lead to flourishing for humans?

Answer 7

dignity, security, individuality

Question 8

problems for milll

Answer 8

problem of pluralism - there’s not a satisfying way to measure these different elements, desire for security and dignity (patriot act) - how do we compare/measure/trade these off?

Question 9

what is DST?

Answer 9

desire satisfaction theory - of actions available, you ought to do that which results in most desires satisfied for everyone affected

Question 10

arguments for DST

Answer 10

• deathbed promises: why do we keep the promises of ppl on their deathbed? hed n eud can’t answer this.
• non-paternalistic-ppl get to decide what is good

Question 11

problems with DST: not the only intrinsic value

Answer 11

other things have intrinsic value besides desire, you might not desire x but x can be necessary for a good life

Question 12

problems with DST: not all satisfaction of desires is intrinsically good

Answer 12

sadistic killer

Question 13

problems with DST: interpersonal comparisons

Answer 13

how can u measure if x is more utilitarian than y if we’re basing it on desire satisfaction? how do you measure desire satisfaction? intensity? not always correlated with what is morally important like donuts

Question 14

problems with DST: elitist

Answer 14

plants dont have desires that need to be satisfied