UTILITARIANISM Flashcards
Consequentialist ethics
A teleological ethical theory based on probable consequences/outcomes. The morality of an action is determined by its consequences.
PROBLEM - how can we be sure that our predictions are certain - we cant be.
Augustine - we were corrupted by the fall and therefore cannot rely on reason.
Utility
The idea of “usefulness” that we should do whatever is useful in increasing overall good and decreasing overall evil
Principle of utility
The principle that actions are to be judged by their usefulness in this sense: their tendency to bring about benefit, advantage, pleasure, good or happiness.
Act utilitarianism
Jeremy Bentham. The idea that we should always perform the act that leads to the greatest pleasure for the masses
Hedonic calculus
A system of working out the amount of pleasure or pain involved in a course of action. 7 parts including: duration, certainty, intensity, purity, propinquity, fecundity and extent
Rule utilitarianism
We should always follow the rule that generally generates the most pleasure for the masses
Preference utilitarianism
RM Hare/Peter Singer. Actions are right if they maximise the satisfaction of preferences or desires
Swine ethic
Carlyle. Criticism of utilitarianism that argues that its unfit for humans to prioritise pleasures that any sentient being can get pleasure from instead of beneficial pleasures
Hedonism
The pursuit of pleasure
Sovereign masters
“Nature has placed mankind under two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do”
Naturalistic fallacy
Because something is natural, it is morally right and good
Humes law
Just because something IS seen in nature, doesn’t mean it is OUGHT to be carried out and morally right. If someone doesn’t do it then it should not make them morally wrong
Act utilitarianism quote
“The greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong”
Relativist
Changes per situation
HC - intensity
How strong the pleasure is
HC - duration
How long will the pleasure last
HC - certainty
How likely is it that pleasure will occur
HC - propinquity
How soon will the pleasure occur?
HC - purity
Will pleasure continue from the original pleasure?
HC - extent
How many people will be affected?
HC - fecundity
How likely will it lead to MORE pleasure in the future?
Higher pleasures (Mill)
Anything that involves a full use of reason eg contemplation or studying
Lower pleasures (Mill)
Anything that any sentient being can get pleasure from eg eating, drinking, sex
JS Mill being elitist
Higher pleasures often include going to the opera or appreciating art which are not necessarily enjoyed by everyone - especially the lower classes
JS Mill response to utilitarianism being called a “swine ethic”
“it is better to be a human satisfied than a pig dissatisfied; better to be socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied”
Ursula Le Guins challenge of utilitarianism
“The ones who walk away from Omelas” - the story presents how utilitarianism would permit the dependence of a perfect city full of citizens on a starving, poverty stricken young boy being kept underground the city.
Strong rule utilitarianism
All rules must be followed, no matter the consequence
Weak rule utilitarianism
If a rule would not bring about the greatest amount of pleasure for the masses then it is permitted to be broken
The healthy sacrifice example
5 desperate patients needing different organ transplants. A healthy man is found to be the perfect match for all 5 patients. The doctor considers sacrificing this innocent man for the pleasure of his 5 patients.
Bernard Williams 4 strengths of utilitarianism
1 - does not require a religious belief of any kind
2 - happiness, pleasure and preferences are reasonable - everyone wants to be happy
3 - moral problems can be solved through a reasonable process
4 - universal and easy to apply
Oscar Wilde
“Do not do unto others what you would have them do unto you; they may have different tastes”
Problem with Mill’s qualitative utilitarianism
How are higher and lower pleasures measured and what defines them?
Maclntyre quote criticising utilitarianism
“the question can always be raised of how great is the price that is being paid for happiness”
- Pleasure does not lead to moral goodness, there is usually a sacrifice to be made which would typically be morally wrong
Criticism of Hare’s preference utilitarianism
It still requires the measurement of pleasure. Preferences also might have unconscious urges behind them which are not a good basis for moral decision making
John Locke - natural rights
Rights we are born with and that are God given, cannot be taken away. Unless it is a criminal. They make us all equal.
What does Bentham refer to natural rights as?
“nonsense upon stilts” - since it is a simple concept which cannot be broken down, there is no reasoning as to why they exist
JS Mills harm principle
Anyone should be able to live life freely, as long as they are not harming anyone. Excludes children as they need protecting.
Why is JS Mill against natural rights?
Natural rights intefere with utilitarianism, as natural rights hinder progress and development for an individual. Eg sometimes people may need to be killed to generate more pleasure and less pain.
Mary Wollstonecraft criticism of utilitarianism
“utilitarianism focuses on maximising happiness which often neglects and leaves behind the marginalised”
What is a key part of Mills utilitarianism?
Altruism - love for others. Increasing the happiness of others increases your own happiness
WD Ross criticism
Does not acknowledge complex lives. Utilitarianism would state it is okay to kill a family member to save five complete strangers? Most people would not agree with this
Sidgwick
How to distinguish higher and lower pleasures? AND which higher pleasures should be prioritised?
How is utilitarianism seen today?
It fits alongside our democratic society in which the majority nare accounted for.
Could be seen as a positive because it eradicates outdated concepts in society (Supported by Mill “the subjection of women).
But this does neglect the minority
Humanity and happiness
We see humanity seeking and striving towards happiness and pleasure.
Dalai Lama - “the purpose of our lives is to be happy”
Aristotle “happiness is the purpose of life”
Agreed with by many different people/religions . NOT A SECULAR THEORY!
Criticism of morality and pleasure
It is wrong to equate pleasure with morality as we have subconscious, bias desires
Permission criticism
Permits horrible acts such as gang rape.
ATTEMPTED TO BE FIXED BY MILLS HARM PRINCIPLE
Majority criticism
Prioritising the majority can lead to the violation of natural rights for the minority - which Locke would disagree with
Nozick’s experience machine
A thought experiment which supposes that people have a choice to plug themselves into a machine which would then generate fake, pleasurable experiences. Not everyone would choose to enter the machine. He thinks this shows that people value things other than pleasure because people want authenticity and reality.
Philippa Foot example
A utilitarian doctor would kill a health patient to give their organs to 5 organ transplant patients because that maximises happiness.
