utilitarianism

Question 1

what type of ethical theory is utilitarianism

Answer 1

teleological (consequentialist) and it is secular (teaching of religion is irrelevant in moral decision-making), collective in its quest for happiness.

Question 2

what did bentham do

Answer 2

ACT UTILITARIANISM: founded the principle of utility and the hedonic calculus, declared happiness the ‘sovereign good’. can also be called hedonism.

Question 3

what did bentham say quote

Answer 3

‘it is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong’

Question 4

what is utility simply

Answer 4

actions should be taken in the effort to produce happiness and prevent pain

Question 5

hedonic calculus + example

Answer 5

method of calculating whihc course of action to take
- gives example of teacher giving out chocolate to class only to be kicked in the shins every time

Question 6

hedonic calculus variables

Answer 6

intensity, duration, certainty, propinquity (how soon?), fecundity (how likely will it lead to further pleasures?), purity, extent (how many affected?)

Question 7

weaknesses of bentham’s utilitarianism x3

Answer 7

-focus on pleasure is too narrow, there is more to life than food, sex, parties
-can lead to appalling circumstances as it could justify gangrape for example.
-the hedonic calculus can be complex if applied to each small situation

Question 8

what did mill do

Answer 8

RULE UTILITARIANISM: quality of pleasure is more important than the hierarchy of pleasure, rejected the hedonic calculus,

Question 9

what did mill argue about the govt

Answer 9

laws should only be imposed to prevent people from harming eachother. he would therefore argue for legalisation of gay marriage for example.
harm principle

Question 10

what is act utilitarianism

Answer 10

says that decisions should be made on each individual situation. previous experiences do not always help us to make moral choices and each situation is different.
+flexibility to each situation
-takes time and is subject to opinion

Question 11

what is rule utilitarianism

Answer 11

consider issues generally and make universal rules (eg giving to the poor) that cover a range of situations. has the common good of society rather than individuals.
+quicker decisions as you apply rules
-rules may clash.

Question 12

applying utilitarianism: trolley problems

Answer 12

Phillipa Foot
-if a train is headed towards a group of children but you save them but an elderly man gets run over. you should do so even if you are responsible for his death, only the outcome is judged, not the action.

Question 13

applying utilitarianism: the dying billionaire

Answer 13

Louis Pojman: billionaire on his deathbed makes you a promise to give his money to his favourite sports team, so they can win. However you see an ad that amount of money could prevent 100,000 people from starving. you should break the promise as you should put aside personal happiness to help.

Question 14

applying utilitarianism: Old Joe by Noel Stewart

Answer 14

murder is committed in a town with racial tension, crime is believed to be racially motivated. the sheriff knows the real perpetrator is dead, but cant prove it. if he were to arrest a passing person, tensions would be eased. he should do this as utilitarians don’t put weight on justice and rights unless the outcome requires it.

Question 15

applying utilitarianism: sexuality

Answer 15

both bentham and mill advocated fro the decriminalisation of homosexuality + equal rights for women. => utilitarianism is progressive and modern

Question 16

applying utilitarianism: on euthanasia

Answer 16

Peter Singer argues the greatest good is found in satisfying people’s pleasures despite the challenge to the sanctity of life. this favours quality of life over sanctity of life.

Question 17

applying utilitarianism: business ethics

Answer 17

adam smith highlighted that fairness in business was economic good sense. if we treat customers and workers well they are more likely to make money than others who cheat and exploit.=> things are not good in themselves but only in regard to how they help the greater good be achieved.

ford pinto case- did a review found it was cheaper to pay costs of people dying and being injurged rather than replacing an 11 dollar piece on each car

Question 18

assess utilitarianism = GOODx6

Answer 18

1. impartiality - requires an objective stance which ensures moral dilemmas arent resolved with bias =>the dying billionaire.
2. secular - does not require a god to justify how we should act = more appealing to contemporary audiences, eg Peter Singer on euthanasia defies religious principles. focused on logic rather than adherence to biblical principles.
3. maximising happiness is a good aim - as it would be pointless to argue for rules that wouldn’t maximise happiness
4. progressive - doesn’t enable outdated ideas such as the criminalisation of homosexuality.
5. flexibility - rules can be changed and situations can be assessed on a case by case basis so happiness is truly at the forefront of decision-making.
6. very clear and simple aim - the hedonic calculus makes this even simpler as it is an organised guide. it is also a simple aim as Bentham argues that human beings are preprogrammed to seek pleasure and happiness (QUOTE)

Question 19

assess utilitarianism = BAD

Answer 19

1. not clear on how to measure pleasure and pain, the hedonic calculus is a start but there are no units for this. pleasure and pain may be dependant on the individual. also subjective approaches: on assisted suicide some may feel this could be applied for someone who has a terminal illness
2. teleological - one cannot predict the future or emotions as we are not omniscient. this is not clear.
3. tyranny of the majority - nothing to stop the majority imposing onto the minority who are ignored eg the innocent man case. or it could justify 18th Century American slavery where the majority benefited from cheap slave labour even though the lives of black slaves were torturous, cannot protect the rights of the minority.
4. the swine ethic problem - Bentham’s utilitarianism could permit gang rape in theory as there are no absolute boundaries and has no concern for human rights. leads to an ends justify the means mentality
5. the problem of moral agency, Jim and the Indians example - this ignores the problem of moral agency. how would you be able to live with yourself. utilitarianism ignores integrity.
6. the consequences themselves must be judged however there is no objective and consistent foundation to judge results as the results are the mechanism used to judge the action itself ?

Question 20

what does noel stewart argue

Answer 20

he argues that the notion is self-defeating as someone could mug you to give the money to charity.

Question 21

what deos Sidgewick argue

Answer 21

the hedonic paradox - if everyone spends life desperately exhausting themselves over trying to gain happiness => this leads to unhappiness.

Question 22

what is eudaimonia

Answer 22

a broader sense of happiness. RULE UTILITARIANISM

Question 23

what does mill reject

Answer 23

a purely quantitative approach with the hedonic calculus. mill is both quantitative and qualitative.

Question 24

what are the differences in beliefs in natural rights

Answer 24

individuals possess certain inherent rights by virtue of their humanity. These rights are considered universal, inalienable, and prior to government.

bentham argues that natural rights are ‘nonsense on stilts’
mill agrees with natural rights

Question 25

what is the principle of utility

Answer 25

greatest happiness for the greatest number

Question 26

what is strong rule

Answer 26

always follow rules worked out from past events - no matter what the outcome is = rigid and inflexible ad can be accused of being deontological which is not compatible with utilitarianism.

Question 27

what is weak rule

Answer 27

Mill’s utilitarianism - some rules from history can be broken if it leads to the greater good in exceptional circumstances. the rules are helpful guidance rather than obligatory.

Question 28

bentham’s quote

Answer 28

‘nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters; pain and pleasure. it is for them alone to point out what we should do’

Question 29

applying utilitarianism: Jim and the Indians

Answer 29

you come across a town where a sheriff is sentencing 5 innocent people to death. he says if you shoot one he will let the rest go. utilitarianism would require you to shoot one. =>utilitarianism has no consideration for moral agency, integrity and how to live with yourself.

Question 30

bernard williams critique

Answer 30

jim and the indians

Question 31

acronym sentence for utlitarian evaluation

Answer 31

i saw many people fishing carefully, many made tuna to soup
Impartial, Secular, Maximise, Progressive, Flexible, Clear
Measure, teleological, swine, tyranny, moral (agency)