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Ethics > utilitarianism > Flashcards

utilitarianism Flashcards

1
Q

What is Jeremy Benthams main idea

A

the most moral action is one that creates the greatest happiness for the greatest amount of people

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2
Q

What is the Hedonic Calculus

A

The system in which you can measure quantity of pleasure based on Intensity, duration, certainty, remoteness, richness, purity and extent

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3
Q

What is hedonism

A

The greek belief that humans naturally choose pleasure over pain

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4
Q

What is Bentham’s quote about pain and pleasure

A

“Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure”

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5
Q

What is Bentham’s quote about different pleasure being equal?

A

“Prejudice apart, the game push-pin is of equal value with the arts and sciences of music and poetry”

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6
Q

What is the deontological theory?

A

considering the action rather than the consequence

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7
Q

What is the teleological theory?

A

considering the end goal or result when deciding if something is moral

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8
Q

what is the consequentialist theory

A

Considering the consequences rather than actions

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9
Q

What is normative ethics

A

ethical theories considering how we act

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10
Q

What is the absolutist theory?

A

Good and bad actions are fixed and unchanging

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11
Q

what is the relativist theory

A

Good and bad actions may change depending on circumstances

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12
Q

How would you lay out a paragraph in an essay applying hedonic calculus

A

Name factor
Define it
Apply it
-> consider everyone affected

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13
Q

what is act utilitarianism

A

theory that states each individual action should be judged according to utilitarian principles

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14
Q

what is rule utilitariansim

A

general rules should be established which, if followed, would create the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people

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15
Q

what is the difference between higher and lower pleasures

A

higher pleasures are related to intellect and lower pleasures are related to the body and senses

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16
Q

what is the harm principle

A

people can do whatever they want unless it harms another person

17
Q

what is weak rule utilitarianism

A

rules based on utilitarian principles should be obeyed unless it would create greater pleasure to break them

18
Q

What is JS Mill’s main idea

A

quality of pleasure is important and higher pleasures are more closely linked to morality

19
Q

What is Mill’s quote about quality of pleasure

A

“It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a big satisfied”

20
Q

What are 2 disadvantages of utilitarianisim

A

HAPPINESS IS A DANGEROUS EMOTION - Everyone has different ideas about happiness and it effects everyone differently and there’s know way to truly measure it

REQUIRES PREDICTION OF CONSEQUENCES - consequentialist approach means you need to predict potential happiness or bad consequences, however you never truly know what will happen and the opposite to what you expect could happen

21
Q

what are 2 advantages of utilitarianism

A

COMPASSIONATE ETHICS - judging the consequences rather than actions, allows you to consider specific circumstances . E.g. lying is wrong but certain situations it is necessary

HUMANS ARE HEDONISTS - Aristotle stated everyone’s major aim in life is to pursuit happiness. SONJA LYUBOMIRSKY says happy people are more likely to have fulfilling relationships, high incomes, robust health.

22
Q

what are 2 disadvantages of act utilitarianism

A

TIME CONSUMING - long time to work through hedonic calculus

COULD BE UNMORAL - can be argued gang rape is acceptable because of quantity of pleasure

23
Q

2 advantages of act utilitariansim

A

HEDONIC CALCULUS - clear way to weigh up quantity of pleasure

BASED ON HEDONISM - humans naturally seek pleasure

24
Q

2 strengths of rule utilitarianism

A

HARM PRINCIPLE - solves issue of causing pain to a minority

QUALITY OF PLEASURE - recognises some pleasures are worth pursuing rather than others

25
Q

2 weaknesses of rule utilitarianism

A

POSSIBLE INJUSTICE - flexibility of act is lost and rules can’t always be followed

HIGHER + LOWER PLEASURE - hard to distinguish between the two because everyone perceives them differently

Ethics (5 decks)

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