Utilitarianism

Question 1

The principle of utility

Answer 1

• Jeremy Bentham developed the principle of utility or greatest happiness theory
• it is the idea that the choice that brings the greatest good for the greatest number of people is the right choice
• the utility is the extent to which an act produces ‘happiness, pleasure, good’ or prevents ‘the happening of pain, evil, unhappiness’. It is what moral behaviour should look to maximise

Question 2

The hedonic calculus

Answer 2

• the system for calculating the amount of pain or pleasure generated
• there are different dimensions if good and evil, some momentary, some long lasting, some affect individuals and some benefit the majority. For utilitarianism, individual benefit is not enough

A number of factors need to be considered to evaluate this balance of good and evil. Bentham suggests the following:
- its intensity
- its duration
- its certainty or uncertainty
- its propinquity or remoteness
- its fecundity (chance of being followed by sensations of the same kind, pleasure followed by pleasure, pain followed by pain)
- its purity (chance of being followed by sensations of the opposite kind)
- its extent (number of people who are affected)

Question 3

Mill’s utilitarianism

Answer 3

• John Stuart Mill (Bentham’s pupil) did not agree with Bentham’s idea of quantitative utility, he doesn’t think the quantity of happiness is as important as the quality
• doesn’t believe sadistic pleasure is what utilitarianism is striving for, utility needs to be distinguished by quality of happiness created
• claimed there were higher and lower pleasures, lower pleasures give gratification but overindulgence brings pain
• higher pleasures: intellectual, aesthetic, social enjoyment, spirituality
• lower pleasures: drinking, sex, eating, rest

Question 4

Act utilitarianism

Answer 4

• a moral decision by an individual base on particular situation
• there is no duty to take a particular action, utility of the action on that day should determine whats good or bad
• always seeks to create the greatest utility from every action, arguably this creates greatest overall utility
• avoidance of rules may only benefit some people, only takes into account the majority

Question 5

Rule utilitarianism

Answer 5

• focus on establishing common good
• sets up series of rules that generally maximise greatest good for greatest number
• outcome of repeated actions matter so you should do what creates the greatest utility majority of the time. You should never lie, even if it may be desirable in certain circumstances
• recognises long-term importance of actions rather than circumstantial benefits
• calculation of situation isn’t necessary

Question 6

Strengths of utilitarianism

Answer 6

• act utilitarianism is pragmatic and focuses on the consequences of an action
• for many ‘happiness’ is an important part of decision making as its their main aim of life
• treats everyone equally
• simple to follow ‘greatest happiness for greatest number’

Question 7

Weaknesses of utilitarianism

Answer 7

• seems to predict consequences of an action, which is impossible
• happiness is subjective
• you account assign a value to an amount of pleasure
• happiness is not the only thing of intrinsic worth