Skeleton Learning Deck - Utilitarianism Flashcards
What is the principle of utility?
Utilitarianism is based on the principle of utility, something is morally right if it produces pleasure, and morally wrong if it produces pain.
Utilitarianism is a consequentialist moral theory - what does that mean?
Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory, the moral worth of an act is based on the consequences rather than the intent
Why is utilitarianisms consequentialist nature beneficial to it?
most people judge the merits of an action based on its outcome = most people can access and use the basic principles - making it an accessible theory.
What does it mean for utilitarianism to be teleological?
Utilitarianism is teleological - as it derives duty or moral obligation from what is good or desirable as an end to be achieved.
Why is utilitarianism a practical moral system for democracy?
In a Democracy, we are all considered equal. Thus, acting in the interests of the many rather than the interests of the few could be argued to be very Democratic. It is used as the basis of the modern democratic system as opposed to deontological ethics for this reason.
Is utilitarianism cohesive with secularist ideals and a secular society?
Utilitarianism is cohesive with a modern secular system as it doesn’t require the idea of God or the idea of a duty to God in the way that deontological ethics do, but can work well in a religious context as it is cohesive with the ideals of biblical morality.
What is Bentham’s Act utilitarianism?
Act utilitarianism was the first kind of utilitarianism, and was introduced by Bentham. He established the system as he was concerned with the way that the law worked - and that it was more about making money than about helping people, and wanted to develop a system that would improve social conditions, especially in hospitals, and prisons, and to develop a system that would benefit the whole of society. It was based on the idea of universal ethical hedonism, the idea that everyone has the equal right to happiness
What system is act utilitarianism based on?
the hedonic calculus - which measures pleasure in a quantitative fashion, which is used to work out what the best course of action is, which is that which will create the most pleasure, based on their predicted results → measuring the moral worth of the act based on its consequences
What is Mills Rule utilitarianism?
Rule utilitarianism was a later redevelopment of this theory, proposed by Mill, who suggested that act utilitarianism was too quantitative, and needed to be more qualitative, to reflect the fact that pleasures are not all of equal value. He wanted to take human nature into account. His system replaced the idea of creating pleasure with the idea of creating happiness, and suggested that the rules of society should be those which created the greatest amount of happiness in the past and that happiness is best achieved when it is subject to the rules that protect the common good. Also based on the idea of higher and lower pleasures, that pleasures are not created equal and that we should seek longer lasting pleasures such as education and marriage over shorter pleasures such as casual sex and junk food.
What distinguishes higher pleasures from lower pleasures in Mill’s rule utilitarianism?
Higher pleasures are longer lasting - and less likely to cause suffering than lower pleasures
Going to school vs spending the day in bed
Eating an apple vs eating a Mars bar
Revising for this bloody exam vs failing the exam because I would rather be outside
What is the modern form of utilitarianism that is best to reference in part a?
negative utilitarianism - developed by Popper, who suggests that the right thing to do is to reduce the amount of suffering for the greatest number - as opposed to increasing the happiness/pleasure for the greatest number.
MUST CALL IT A MODERN DEVELOPMENT!
What is the modern form of utilitarianism that should be referenced in part b?
preference utilitarianism - developed by Hare, which replaces the idea of seeking ‘pleasure’ with seeking the best interests, the preferences of individuals should always be taken into account and that the best thing to do is to maximise the chances of as many peoples preferences being fulfilled as possible
Why is preference utilitarianism a useful system?
Because it takes individuals into account - which counteracts Rawls’ criticism of the utilitarianism system
What is Sidgewicks criticism of utilitarianism?
“In practice it is hard to distinguish between higher and lower pleasures” This is due to the subjectivity of the word ‘pleasure’
What is a common criticism of act utilitarianism?
Act Utilitarianism allows for brutal and socially unacceptable acts to be classed as ‘good’ through being performed by the majority
