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Ethics > Utilitarianism > Flashcards

Utilitarianism Flashcards

1
Q

What is on the specification that you are expected to know?

A

-The principle of Utility
-The Hedonic Calculus
-Act utilitarianism
-Rule utilitarianism

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2
Q

Define the Principle of Utility.

A

Seeking the greatest balance of good over evil or pleasure over pain.

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3
Q

What is another way of expressing the principle of Utility?

A

Doing the right action which can lead to the greatest good for the greatest number.

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4
Q

What is a HUGE weakness of the principle of Utility?

A

It is a single principle used to resolve dilemmas however the word good is subjective and differs between different thinkers e.g Classical utilitarianism (Bentham and Mill) believe good=pleasure

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5
Q

What is Bentham’s version of the Principle of utility?

A

We should do what is useful in achieving the greatest balance of good over evil.

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6
Q

What rule does Bentham’s version of the principle of Utility present?

A

Greatest Happiness Principle

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7
Q

What does Bentham believe humans are?

A

Hedonistic (pleasure-seekers)

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8
Q

Because humans are pleasure-seekers according to Bentham what does that mean humans have?

A

An instinct to seek pleasure and avoid pain.

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9
Q

What kind of theory is Utilitarianism?

A

Secular

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10
Q

Because Bentham was atheist what did he also argue?

A

It is not a divine being or human reason which motivates us but the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain.

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11
Q

What are two advantages of Hedonist Utilitarianism (Bentham)?

A

-Maximising pleasure and happiness is a good aim it would be strange to not value them
-Nature provides this principle as we do seem to seek pleasure and avoid pain

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12
Q

What are 3 weaknesses of the Hedonic Utilitarianism (Bentham)?

A

-Pleasure and pain may be dependant on the individual as we have different views on what may lead to happiness perhaps making preferential utilitarianism a more viable option.
-ROBERT NOZICK,the experiment machine if we were offered to go into a machine which allows us to feel pleasurable sensations without experiencing it we would all decline as we value our real life over pleasure.
-Difficult to measure pleasure and pain.

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13
Q

What is the Hedonic Calculus used for?

A

Used to quantify which action will bring about the greatest good for the greatest number.

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14
Q

What are the 7 Factors of the Hedonic Calculus:
Parmesan Cheese Produces Intense Delight For Everyone

A

-Purity
-Certainty
-Propinquity
-Intensity
-Duration
-Fecundity
-Extent

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15
Q

What are two advantages of Bentham’s Act Utilitarianism?

A

-It is straightforward as it is a single principle minimising pain and maximising pleasure
-It is morally democratic as it is fair as it looks at what brings happiness to the most people

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16
Q

Explain the disadvantage of Bentham’s Act Utilitarianism being labelled as a ‘Swine Ethic’.

A

It treats us as if we are pigs and wrongly assumes that we are creatures which value pleasure identically.He also claimed that penny push has the same pleasure as poetry highlighting that his focus on pleasure is too narrow.
(J.S Mill)

17
Q

What are 2 other disadvantages of Bentham’s Act Utilitarianism?

A

-It can lead to appalling consequence as theoretically if it was applied to gang rape it would justify as the pleasure of the rapists outweigh the victim (J.S Mill)
-MCCLOSKEY racism example,a sheriff has a choice to either prosecute a innocent black man in order to prevent a riot from the townspeople or let him go.The sheriff chooses to prosecute him knowing he is innocent which is morally wrong because it shows act utilitarianism can lead to people being treated differently within society.

18
Q

What are two advantages of the Hedonic Calculus?

A

-Neuroscience advances can lead to measuring pleasure and happiness in terms of observing brain activity during key moments
-J.S Mill,if we want to know what is desirable we should look at what people desire.for example in his analogy if we want to know what is visible and what isn’t you would ask what can be seen in the same way you should ask what people desire.

19
Q

What are two disadvantages of the Hedonic Calculus?

A

-Things that can be measured/quantifiable usually have units of measurement e.g time has hours and minutes mass has grams there is no obvious unit of measurement.
-Pleasure and pain are subjective we enjoy different things and have different pain thresholds and some would suffer for the greater good.

20
Q

What is a weakness of Weak Rule Utilitarianism?

A

The term exceptional circumstances is too subjective.

20
Q

What are two types of Rule Utilitarianism?

A

-Strong Rule Utilitarianism
-Weak Rule Utilitarianism

20
Q

What is Strong Rule Utilitarianism?

A

Always follow rules worked out from past events no matter what the outcome will be.

20
Q

What are two disadvantages of Strong Rule Utilitarianism?

A

-It is rigid and Inflexible
-Can be accused of being deontological which is not compatible with Utilitarianism

21
Q

What is Weak Rule Utilitarianism?

A

Some rules in history can be broken if it leads to the greater good or greatest happiness in exceptional circumstances.(J.S Mill)

22
Q

What are two advantages of Rule Utilitarianism?

A

-Mill’s Liberty Principle addresses many of the issues Bentham’s act utilitarianism faced as the no harm principle is where no harm can be caused to others making gang rape not justifiable
-Peter Vardy, allows us to make rules which uphold justice and rights two things that can be lost from act utilitarianism.

23
Q

What are the three disadvantages of Rule Utilitarianism?

A

-May not consider the merits of an individual situation
-There can be situations where different utilitarian rules and principles can clash so a different approach would be needed.
-Weak utilitarianism can end up falling into act utilitarianism due to the exceptions so it would face the same issues.

24
Q

What is preference utilitarianism?

A

It is when the greatest balance of good/evil is brought about when personal preference is maximised.

25
Q

Why did preference utilitarianism come about?

A

It attempt to address the key issues Bentham and mill face that we all have similar views of goodness and pleasure

26
Q

How is prefernce uitilitarianism utilised?

A

-individual must put other interests above there own
-Impartial observer removing self interest

27
Q

What are 2 strengths of preferential utilitarianism?

A

-allows us to pursue individual interest rather than the majority
-much easier to measure e.g surveys

28
Q

What are 2 weaknesses of preferential utilitarianism?

A

-when someone chooses for them self its not always the best
-It’s difficult to consider what everyone’s preference is

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