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
What is a lower pleasure according to Mill?
Pleasures of the body / physical pleasures and short term
What is the harm principle?
Harm can only be done when it is for the greater good, common good, not just for personal gain.
What is swine ethic?
The idea that a horrific act can be argued simply because the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the minority e.g. gang rape
Mill supports altruism, what is altruism?
Putting others before yourself. The best way to ensure lasting happiness is for people to try and make each other happy.
What was the expectations that mill had about altruism?
- Each person desires their own happiness
- Therefore each person should aim for their own happiness
- Therefore, everyone out to aim at the happiness of everyone (principle of universalisability)
- Utilitarian rules are necessary to do this
What is Strong Rule Utilitarianism?
People believe that the derived rules should never be disobeyed, but followed as moral absolutes
What is Weak Rule Utilitarianism?
People believe that the rules set by this should be rough guidelines instead of absolutes and there can be alternative action that would bring better happiness
How do rule utilitarians believe rules are formed?
They are formed using utilitarian principles for the benefit of society
What is the basic principle that Fletcher uses to present Situation Ethics?
There is nothing which is good in itself except love
What type of theory is situation ethics?
Relativist, Teleological and Consequentialist
What is situation ethics?
Based on the primary principle of love, more importantly “agape” love which is a selfless love that puts the needs of others first.
What does fletcher say that conscience is?
The description of a moral decision, not the decider of the moral decision. Meaning we shouldn’t turn to our conscience.
What is legalism?
An ethical approach based on rules which people make moral decisions using. And these rules shouldn’t be broken
What is Fletcher’s view of legalism?
He thinks its silly for people to enter a situation already having what they should do decided for them instead of what they should do being decided in the moment
What is antinomianism?
The idea that no one is under any obligation to obey laws in any capacity, no rule provides solutions instead it is found through intuition
What is Fletcher’s view of antinomianism?
It is insane to have no way to form decisions because this would simply result in anarchy
What is the key quote said by the St Louis Cabbie?
“There are times a man has to push his principles aside and do the right thing”
What are the four working principles of situation ethics?
- Personalism
- Pragmatism
- Theological Positivism
- Relativism
What is the meaning of the working principle personalism?
People must come first before the law
What is the meaning of the working principle pragmatism?
The act must be pragmatic (practicable)
What is the meaning of the working principle theological positivism?
It is essential to make a deliberate decision in favour of the claim of faith that ‘God is love’
What is the meaning of the working principle relativism?
Always act on the basis of relativism rather than absolutism
What is the first of the six fundamental principles of situation ethics?
Nothing is good in and of itself except agape
What is the second of the six fundamental principles of situation ethics?
The ruling norm of Christian decision making is love and nothing else
What is the third of the six fundamental principles of situation ethics?
Love and justice are the same - justice is love distributed
What is the fourth of the six fundamental principles of situation ethics?
Love wills the neighbour’s good, whether we like him / her or not
What is the fifth of the six fundamental principles of situation ethics?
Only the ends justifies the means.
What is the sixth of the six fundamental principles of situation ethics?
Love’s decisions are made in the context of particular situations
What does situation ethics say about homosexuality?
Homosexual is ethical, if the motive is genuine love and not sexual desire -> if there is mutual commitment and responsibility in the relationship
What does situation ethics say about polyamorous relationships?
Ethical if its genuine love, a loving relationship not just casual, this does not harm anyone but rather serves the better of everyone involved
