Utilitarianism

Question 1

What is Hedonism?

Answer 1

If an action brings or increases pleasure then it is right

Question 2

What is Hedonic Calculus?

Answer 2

proposed by Bentham to calculate the most pleasurable action. the greatest happiness for the greatest number Seven elements are taken into consideration.

Question 3

What does Bentham describe happiness as?

Answer 3

pleasure, which is “good”

Question 4

What is Quantitative?

Answer 4

treating happiness as something you can measure in quantity only (Act utility)

Question 5

What is Qualitative?

Answer 5

he quality or high standard of happiness an act produced was more important than the quantity (Rule utility)

Question 6

What are higher pleasures?

Answer 6

term used by JS Mill to distinguish between different forms of happiness, higher pleasures are superior pleasures

Question 7

What are Lower pleasures?

Answer 7

lower pleasures are inferior pleasures and are pleasures of the body

Question 8

What does Consequentialist mean?

Answer 8

the theory that the consequences of an action are the deciding factor when making a moral decision.

Question 9

What is the definiton of Utilitarianism?

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

What is Utility?

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

What is act utilitarianism?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What are the 7 criteria of the Hedonistic Calculus?

Answer 12

Duration, Remoteness, Purity, Richness, Intensity, Certainty, Extent

Question 13

What is the acronym used to remember Hedonistic Calculus?

Answer 13

Dr.Price

Question 14

What is Duration? (Hedonistic Calculus)

Answer 14

How long the pleasure lasts

Question 15

What is Remoteness? (Hedonistic Calculus)

Answer 15

How close in time the is pleasure for those involved

Question 16

What is Purity? (Hedonistic Calculus)

Answer 16

How free from pain the pleasure is

Question 17

What is Richness? (Hedonistic Calculus)

Answer 17

How much pleasure the act leads to

Question 18

What is intensity? (Hedonistic Calculus)

Answer 18

How strong the pleasure is

Question 19

What is certainty? (Hedonistic Calculus)

Answer 19

How sure you are the pleasure will happen

Question 20

What is extent? (Hedonistic Calculus)

Answer 20

How many people the pleasure effects

Question 21

What is rule Utilitarianism?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

What is strong rule utilitarianism?

Answer 22

a strong rule utilitarian believes that any rules established through the application of the utilitarian principle should never be broken

Question 23

What is weak rule utilitarianism?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

What is Mill’s harm principle?

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

What 2 situations does the harm principle not apply?

Answer 25

Children and societies that have not yet developed to a point where force can be replaced by free and equal discussion