Utilitarian Paper

Question 1

Principle of Utility: in action is morally required just because it does more to improve overall well-being than any other action you could’ve done in the circumstance. Page 123

Answer 1

The Fundamentals of Ethics. Shafer-Landau, Russ. Book. 2018. Oxford University Press, NYC, NY.

Question 2

Ultimate Moral Principle: produce the greatest overall balance of happiness over misery. Page 123

Answer 2

The Fundamentals of Ethics. Shafer-Landau, Russ. Book. 2018. Oxford University Press, NYC, NY.

Question 3

FALSE: in choosing among acts of benefit people, we must benefit the greatest number of people.

+ The benefit to the majority may be very small, where is the benefit to the minority may be very large.

Page 124

Answer 3

The Fundamentals of Ethics. Shafer-Landau, Russ. Book. 2018. Oxford University Press, NYC, NY.

Question 4

FALSE: we must always choose that action that creates the greatest amount of happiness.

+The first creates more happiness than the second; the first may also create a huge amount of misery, while the second creates a little misery.

Page 124

Answer 4

The Fundamentals of Ethics. Shafer-Landau, Russ. Book. 2018. Oxford University Press, NYC, NY.

Question 5

Utilitarians tell tell us to do what brings about the best overall situation, by choosing the act that creates the greatest net balance of happiness over unhappiness. Page 124

Answer 5

The Fundamentals of Ethics. Shafer-Landau, Russ. Book. 2018. Oxford University Press, NYC, NY.

Question 6

Consequentialists say that our fundamental moral duty is to make the world the best place it can be. Utilitarians in particular understand this to mean that we must contribute as much to the improvement of well-being as we can. Page 127

Answer 6

The Fundamentals of Ethics. Shafer-Landau, Russ. Book. 2018. Oxford University Press, NYC, NY.

Question 13

Utilitarianism: The morally correct action in any situation is that which brings about the highest possible total sum of utility. Page 49

Answer 13

In Introduction to Political Philosophy. Wolff, Jonathan. Book. 2016. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Question 14

Utility: understood as happiness, pleasure, or the satisfaction of desires or preferences. Page 49

Answer 14

In Introduction to Political Philosophy. Wolff, Jonathan. Book. 2016. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Question 15

Utilitarianism requires you perform the action that will create more happiness (or less and happiness) in the world than any other action available at the time. Page 49

Answer 15

In Introduction to Political Philosophy. Wolff, Jonathan. Book. 2016. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Question 16

Utilitarian Theory requires us to compare one persons happiness with another’s, and see who has more, but to say how much more. Page 49

Answer 16

In Introduction to Political Philosophy. Wolff, Jonathan. Book. 2016. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Question 17

Interpersonal comparisons of utility: the problem of finding a way of comparing happiness (page 49); to be able to measure and quantify happiness (page 50).

Answer 17

In Introduction to Political Philosophy. Wolff, Jonathan. Book. 2016. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Question 18

We should’ve they are rumors as long as the benefits of doing so outweigh the costs, according to Jeremy Bentham. Page 50

Answer 18

In Introduction to Political Philosophy. Wolff, Jonathan. Book. 2016. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Question 19

A lawbreakers charter. Page 50

Answer 19

In Introduction to Political Philosophy. Wolff, Jonathan. Book. 2016. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Question 20

The utilitarian political philosopher should recommend a system of laws for each person to follow, at least under normal circumstances. Page 51

Answer 20

In Introduction to Political Philosophy. Wolff, Jonathan. Book. 2016. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Question 21

It is not, then, for the individual to consider the effect of following the law on the level of happiness within the society. Page 51

Answer 21

In Introduction to Political Philosophy. Wolff, Jonathan. Book. 2016. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Question 22

Laws should be repealed and replaced if they fail to serve the proper Utilitarian function. Page 52

Answer 22

In Introduction to Political Philosophy. Wolff, Jonathan. Book. 2016. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Question 23

Utilitarianism is a doctrine of impartiality. Page 127

Answer 23

The Fundamentals of Ethics. Shafer-Landau, Russ. Book. 2018. Oxford University Press, NYC, NY.

Question 24

It tells us the welfare of each person is equally morally valuable. Your well-being is just as important as anyone else’s. Everyone’s well-being count, and everyone’s well-being count equally. Page 127

Answer 24

The Fundamentals of Ethics. Shafer-Landau, Russ. Book. 2018. Oxford University Press, NYC, NY.

Question 27

Utilitarianism is a doctrine of moral flexibility. Page 131

Answer 27

The Fundamentals of Ethics. Shafer-Landau, Russ. Book. 2018. Oxford University Press, NYC, NY.

Question 28

No moral rule (other than the principle of utility) is absolute. It is morally okay to violate any rule… if doing so well raise overall well-being. Page 130

Answer 28

The Fundamentals of Ethics. Shafer-Landau, Russ. Book. 2018. Oxford University Press, NYC, NY.

Question 29

In unusual situations, we are right to violate taboos or break familiar, deeply held tomorrow girls if we maximize well-being in doing so. Page 131

Answer 29

The Fundamentals of Ethics. Shafer-Landau, Russ. Book. 2018. Oxford University Press, NYC, NY.

Question 30

There are times when we must stray from the conventional path in order to improve overall welfare. When we do this, we do right — even if it means breaking the traditional moral rules. Page 131

Answer 30

The Fundamentals of Ethics. Shafer-Landau, Russ. Book. 2018. Oxford University Press, NYC, NY.