Utilitarianism Flashcards
Who created act utilitarianism?
Jeremy Bentham
What is act utilitarianism?
Each individual persons act is judged according to the pleasure or pain it brings out
What is the hedonic calculus and what are the seven steps?
It is a formula for calculating how much utility will be created by an action
- Intensity
- Duration
- Certainty
- Proximity
- Productiveness
- Purity
- Extent
Strengths of act utilitarianism
It is human nature to want to be happy and avoid suffering
Considers everyone’s happiness and pain
Can be understood and applied
Comes up with simple answers to problems
Weaknesses of act utilitarianism
Is happiness the greatest good?
Is happiness always good?
Do good consequences justify evil actions?
What is Bentham’s main quote?
“It is the greatest happiness if the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong”
Who created rule utilitarianism?
John Stuart Mill
What should rules be based on to bring about happiness for the majority of society?
Principle of utility
Weak rule utilitarianism
Utilitarian rules can be broken if the situation dictate- rules are guidelines for decision making
Strong rule utilitarianism
Utilitarian takes should always be followed, as they lead to the happiness of society overall
What are competent judges?
Intellectual people can experience both types of pleasure, therefore are more able to understand which pleasures are more valuable. So they should decide which pleasures should be promoted in society
Higher pleasures
Pleasures if the mind
Lower pleasures
Pleasures of the body
Who created preference utilitarianism?
Peter Singer
What is preference utilitarianism?
Moral decisions are based in the perceived preferences in those directly affected by an action or decision
It wants to avoid unnecessary suffering
