Teleological Ethics Flashcards
What is the principle of utility?
“The greatest happiness for the greatest number”
What type of theory is “Act Utilitarianism”?
Teleological, Relativist, Consequentialist
What does it mean to be a relativist theory?
An action is right or wrong depending on the situation
What does pitman to be a consequentialist theory?
The morality of an action should depend on the consequences it brings about
What are the benefits that should be considered about an action according to Bentham?
- duration of benefits
- intensity of said benefits
- how long until the benefits occur
- if there are going to be further benefits
What are the three major parts of Bentham’s work?
- Motivation of human beings and the concept of good and bad
- Principle of utility
- Hedonic Calculus
What are the seven criteria of the hedonic calculus (PRIDE FC) ?
Purity, Remoteness, Intensity, Duration, Extent, Fecundity, Certainty
What is the criteria purity mean in the hedonic calculus?
How little pain is caused by the action
What is the criteria remoteness mean in the hedonic calculus?
When the happiness will come into affect
What is the criteria intensity mean in the hedonic calculus?
The strength of the happiness
What is the criteria duration mean in the hedonic calculus?
The length of the happiness
What is the criteria extent mean in the hedonic calculus?
The amount of people that will experience the happiness
What is the criteria fecundity mean in the hedonic calculus?
What’s the likelihood that there will be further happiness from an act
What is the criteria certainty mean in the hedonic calculus?
How sure are we that this action will cause happiness
What was the purpose behind the hedonic calculus?
To calculate if an action should be done or not
Who is associated with rule utilitarianism?
John Stuart Mill
What type of theory is rule utilitarianism?
Relativist, Teleological and Consequentialist
What is the difference between rule utilitarianism and act utilitarianism?
Bentham -> Quality
Mill -> Quantity
How does Mill define happiness as?
Something cultural and spiritual rather than just physical
What is a higher pleasure according to Mill?
Pleasures of the mind / intellectual pleasures and longer lasting e.g. studying, reading and other things of the same nature