Utilitarianism Flashcards
What is Hedonism?
If an action brings or increases pleasure then it is right
What is Hedonic Calculus?
proposed by Bentham to calculate the most pleasurable action. the greatest happiness for the greatest number Seven elements are taken into consideration.
What does Bentham describe happiness as?
pleasure, which is “good”
What is Quantitative?
treating happiness as something you can measure in quantity only (Act utility)
What is Qualitative?
he quality or high standard of happiness an act produced was more important than the quantity (Rule utility)
What are higher pleasures?
term used by JS Mill to distinguish between different forms of happiness, higher pleasures are superior pleasures
What are Lower pleasures?
lower pleasures are inferior pleasures and are pleasures of the body
What does Consequentialist mean?
the theory that the consequences of an action are the deciding factor when making a moral decision.
What is the definiton of Utilitarianism?
An ethical theory that states a person should perform the action that will achieve the greatest happiness for the greatest number in that particular situation.
What is Utility?
usefulness; the principle of utility or greatest happiness principle was devised by Bentham, who thought it would be “useful” for society if pleasure were sought and pain avoided.
What is act utilitarianism?
a form of utilitarianism associated with Bentham that treats each moral situation as unique and each “act” is deemed to be right or wrong depending based on the consequences it produces
What are the 7 criteria of the Hedonistic Calculus?
Duration, Remoteness, Purity, Richness, Intensity, Certainty, Extent
What is the acronym used to remember Hedonistic Calculus?
Dr.Price
What is Duration? (Hedonistic Calculus)
How long the pleasure lasts
What is Remoteness? (Hedonistic Calculus)
How close in time the is pleasure for those involved
What is Purity? (Hedonistic Calculus)
How free from pain the pleasure is
What is Richness? (Hedonistic Calculus)
How much pleasure the act leads to
What is intensity? (Hedonistic Calculus)
How strong the pleasure is
What is certainty? (Hedonistic Calculus)
How sure you are the pleasure will happen
What is extent? (Hedonistic Calculus)
How many people the pleasure effects
What is rule Utilitarianism?
theory of utilitarianism based in general principles or rules of behaviour; a view associated with john Stuart Mill. Rule utilitarians believe that by using the utilitarian principle – the greatest happiness for the greatest number – one can draw up general rules, based on past experiences, which would help to keep this principle.
What is strong rule utilitarianism?
a strong rule utilitarian believes that any rules established through the application of the utilitarian principle should never be broken
What is weak rule utilitarianism?
tries to allow for the fact that in some situations breaking a rule originally created because it generally fulfils the principles of utility may be the right course of action.
What is Mill’s harm principle?
stating that one can only use power over someone against his will if the result of that will prevent harm to others. An action cannot be prohibited for personal good.
What 2 situations does the harm principle not apply?
Children and societies that have not yet developed to a point where force can be replaced by free and equal discussion
