Utilitarianism

Question 1

What is Sidgwick’s Utilitarianism

Answer 1

Utilitarianism is correct moral theory but it is better if kept secret because should ordinary people know the truth of utilitarianism, they would be likely to attempt to calculate in direct utilitarian terms most people would also make poor calculations through lack of care, or ability, or through the magnification of their own interests. It would be better to keep it a secret only among esoteric elite

Question 2

Does Bentham support the idea of natural rights?

Answer 2

Bentham did not support the idea of natural rights. Bentham pointed out that if it is “self-evident” that people have natural rights, why do different theorists have different ideas about what those rights should be? Right is with me the child of law… A natural right is a son that never had a father. If this is correct then it makes the idea of a natural right, a right independent of the law of the land. He believes rights can only be created by legal decree

Question 3

The relationship between the Birmingham Six and utilitarianism

Answer 3

six guys being found guilty of murder but they were innocent.

utilitarianism points that it is better to punish the innocent and never admit they were innocent than admit the police as a terror-inducing force that coerces false testimony.

Question 4

What are Bentham’s 3 roles for laws?

Answer 4

1) if they contribute more to human happiness than any competing law would

2) should be obeyed because they are laws and should only be disobeyed to avoid disaster

3) repealed and replaced if they fail to serve the proper utilitarian function

Question 5

What are some of the disadvantages of utilitarianism?

Answer 5

sometimes the outcome that generates the most utility can also be an outcome that is morally, legally, and socially very wrong.

incentivizes unlawful and delinquent behavior in the name of the utility function.

Question 6

Direct vs indirect utilitarianism?

Answer 6

Direct individual performs an action any time that action provides more happiness than other alternatives
Indirect utilitarian, accepts that the goal of law and morality is that happiness should be maximized, but not through seeking individual happiness

Question 7

What is the only intrinsic good for utilitarians?

Answer 7

happiness