Utilitarianism

Question 1

Definition of a utilitarian

Answer 1

Someone who believe in maximising overall happiness or pleasure for the greatest number of people.

Question 2

Jeremy Bentham quote

Answer 2

“Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do”

Question 3

Key beliefs of Bentham

Answer 3

“Greatest happiness for the greatest number”

-Bentham focused on maximising pleasure and minimising pain. We should always be aiming to maximise pleasure

-Bentham focuses on consequences(outcomes). It requires the prediction of outcomes in order to ascertain the morality of an action

Question 4

Benthams act utilitarianism

Answer 4

-the idea that every action preformed should aim to produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

-Takes situations on a case by case basis. Bentham produces a Hedonic Calculus to use before acting

Question 5

Hedonic calculus

Answer 5

-Bentham provides a method of calculating which course action to take

-he suggests that there are 7 factors that should be taken into account when making decisions. One of these being fecundity which the impact of this decision in the future

Question 6

John stuart mil

Answer 6

-he keeps the central idea of utilitarianism but is aware of some issues

-he supports principle of utility but rejects hedonic calculus

-he believes there are higher and lower pleasures

Lower- eating/sex
Higher-Studying philosophy

-he is influenced by Aristotles idea that happiness refers to flourishing/fulfilment and eudaemonia

Question 7

John stuart mil rule utilitarianism

Answer 7

• like Benthams act U mill RU also aims at the greatest balance if good and evil
  However it has the common good of society rather than individuals

-instead of using HCalc we should always follow rules that generally look to the greatest balance of good and evil

Question 8

Principle of utility

Answer 8

The idea that the best action is the one that maximises overall happiness or pleasure and minimises overall pain and suffering.

Judges actions by their outcomes

Question 9

Thesis summary

Answer 9

Utilitarianism is a cognitive, naturalistic and teleological theory.

Question 10

John mil quote

Answer 10

“It is better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied”