Utilitarianism

Question 1

Which philosopher came up with the concept of (classic) utilitarianism?

Answer 1

Bentham

Question 2

What is Utilitarianism?

Answer 2

Moral theory that focuses on the consequences of our actions and treats intention as irrelevant.
Good consequences = good actions.
The morally right action is the one that produces… “the greatest good for the greatest number.”

Question 3

What do Utilitarians believe is true for all humans?

Answer 3

We all want to achieve happiness. Being happy is everyone’s end goal.

Question 4

How do Utilitarians think that actions should be measured?

Answer 4

In terms if happiness/pleasure that they produce.

Question 5

What is the principle of utility?

Answer 5

We should act in a way that helps “produce the greatest good for the greatest number”. (Quote by Bentham)

Question 6

What two things are humans motivated by, according to Bentham?

Answer 6

Humans are motivated to seek pleasure and avoid pain.

Question 7

Define Act Utilitarianism

Answer 7

In any situation you should choose the action which will produce the greatest good for the greatest number. Based on actions and the end ALWAYS justifies the means. No action is intrinsically wrong.

Question 8

Define Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 8

Says we ought to live by rules that in general are likely to lead to the greatest good for the greatest number. Rules help maximise happiness.

Question 9

Explain the trolley problem.

Answer 9

There is a trolley heading towards 5 people on the track. You can pull a lever so that the train is diverted to a 2nd track with only 1 person on it. Who would you save?

Question 10

Who came up with the trolley problem?

Answer 10

Philippa Foot

Question 11

What is utility?

Answer 11

Usefulness (but can be interpreted in different ways). According to Bentham it means pleasure.

Question 12

What is hedonism?

Answer 12

A philosophy that states that pleasure is the highest good. We SHOULD aim for it.

Question 13

Define psychological hedonism.

Answer 13

Humans are naturally built to seek pleasure and avoid pain. It’s our ONLY aim.

Question 14

How do you measure pleasure?

Answer 14

With the hedonic calculus.

Question 15

What are the categories used to measure pleasure (with a hedonic calculus)?

Answer 15

Intensity < strength of pleasure
Duration < time pleasure will last for
Certainty < will it happen for sure?
Propinquity < remoteness
Richness < snowball effect
Purity
Extent/numbers

Question 16

What are some criticisms of Act Utilitarianism?

Answer 16

• people can justify any action as long as the end is good.
• some actions do seem intrinsically wrong.

Question 17

What are the negatives of using the hedonic calculus?

Answer 17

No Unit of measurement for pleasure.
Difficult to compare pleasurable actions to painful ones.
It’s unreliable.

Question 18

What is the pleasure machine?

Answer 18

A machine you can be plugged into where you ‘live’ in a world where you constantly experience pleasure.

Question 19

What is Rule Utilitarianism?

Answer 19

Think that rules maximise happiness and ensure that the tyranny of the majority is avoided.

Question 20

Who suggested that pleasures of the minds are more superior than pleasures of the body?

Answer 20

Mill.

Question 21

Did Bentham care more about the quantity or quality?

Answer 21

Quantity (Utilitarianism).
Mill cared more about the quality.

Question 22

Who came up with Rule Utilitarianism?

Answer 22

Mill.

Question 23

What do non-hedonists believe?

Answer 23

We should aim to maximise utility. They argue that utility doesn’t always mean pleasure.

Question 24

What is Preference Utilitarianism?

Answer 24

Suggests an action should be judged by the extent to which it conforms to the preferences of those affected by the action. Pleasure is not the only aim to maximise.

Question 25

What are some criticisms against preference of Preference Utilitarianism?

Answer 25

1. Bad/crazy preferences - someone might have a preference that is dangerous to others.
2. Preferences from a distance - e.g Luke is dead. He wanted a really expensive funeral. His son doesn’t have lots of money. Luke is dead so he can’t experience happiness.
3. Minority loses out.

Question 26

Who came up with Act Utilitarianism?

Answer 26

Bentham.

Question 27

Who came up with Perference Utilitarianism?

Answer 27

Hare and Singer.

Question 28

What would Prefence Utilitarianism say about lying?

Answer 28

Lying is sometimes wrong due to preference for the truth.

Question 29

What did Singer discuss (besides Preference Utilitarianism)?

Answer 29

Animal Rights.

Question 30

Who came up with the pleasure machine?

Answer 30

Nozick.

Question 31

If you choose to go into the pleasure machine, what does it make you?

Answer 31

You are a psychological hedonist. (Pleasure is the highest good).

Question 32

Explain the tyranny of the majority example.

Answer 32

E.g. a murder is committed and 10,000 people want justice. Police haven’t caught murderer but they could frame an innocent person and make 10,000 people happy. Act Utilitarians think this is morally right.
‘Individual rights aren’t as important as collective rights.’

Question 33

Explain the issue around partiality and use the example.

Answer 33

E.g. you can only save 1 person from a burning building. Your mum or a doctor who can cure cancer.
To be impartial would be to save the doctor.

Question 34

Explain how Utilitarianism ignores the moral integrity of the individual.

Answer 34

E.g. George needs a job. He could work for a company making war weapons. He is a pacifist. He has family to provide for and there is not that many jobs. If he takes the job he can control how many people are killed, if someone else takes the job then they could kill more people. Act Utilitarianists think he should ignore personal morals and take the job.