Utilitarianism Flashcards
Act utilitarianism
A person has a moral dilemma and uses the hedonic calculus to establish what the greatest good would be.
Strong rule utilitarianism
A person has a moral dilemma and they turn to rules that must be followed.
Weak rule utilitarianism
A person has a moral dilemma and if the rule doesn’t fit then it can be broken depending on the situation.
J.S Mill’s higher and lower pleasures
Higher - if it was chosen over another pleasure even if it partly brought discomfort (e.g. Academic study).
Lower - short term, arguably creates the most pleasure. (e.g. watching tv instead of doing work).
Why is utilitarianism known as a pig philosophy or swine ethic?
It encourages people to partake in base pleasures such as food and sex rather than pursuing anything else.
The hedonic calculus
Intensity
Propinquity
Duration
Purity
Extent
Fecundity
Certainty
What is fecundity? HC
The chance of an action being followed by the same kind e.g. pain = pain
What is propinquity? HC
How remote or close the pleasure is
What is purity? HC
How likely it is that an action won’t be followed by the opposite kind.
Natural rights
John Locke argues that all individuals are equal in the sense that they have natural rights that cannot be alienated.
J.S Mill’s criticisms of natural rights
Freedom is needed for pleasure and pleasure is not a natural right; it helps to reach higher and lower pleasures.
Strengths of utilitarianism and who said them
Bernard Williams
- It does not require religious belief of any kind meaning it has a more reasonable approach than turning to obscure religious concepts.
- It offers a currency of moral thought where interests can be weighed up with one another.
- Basic good and happiness seems to be a reasonable thing to aspire to - the premise works universally for all.
Criticisms of utilitarianism
- Decisions are hard to make objectively as humans nay always act in their own self -interests.
- The hedonic calculus is hard to apply as reason can often be corrupted.
- Utilitarianism can justify horrifying acts.
- Utilitarianism creates a naturalistic fallacy.
- Utilitarianism goes against the concept of natural rights.
- You often have to guess the consequence of an action.
The story of Urlsula Le Guin
Everyone lives in bliss in a city yet once a year they have to go and visit a child that loves there and is suffering. They have the chance to leave the city and the child will no longer suffer or they can remain ignorant and carrying on living this ‘idealistic’ life.
Utilitarianism justifies the neglection of the child as it creates the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
Alistair Maclntyre’s criticism of utilitarianism
Pleasures don’t always cause moral goodness because there may be a price to pay for that happiness e.g. buying from fast fashion brands.
