Utilitarianism Flashcards
What is Quantitave Utilitarianism and who theorised it?
The idea that you should do whatever produces the most please- the total amount is more important than he quality of pleasure. Theorised by Jeremy Bentham
What is Nozick’s Experience Machine and how does it question whether pleasure is the only good?
The idea of there being a machine capable of giving you all of the pleasures in the world without any strife, but you would not be able to unplug yourself from it. It questions pleasure by asking whether you would sacrifice other ‘good’ things in the pursuit of pleasure.
What is Qualitative Utilitarianism and who theorised it?
The idea that you should do whatever produces the best quality pleasure. Higher Pleasures (e.g. studying Plato, studying Quantum Physics) are more important that Lower Pleasure (Physical Pleasures e.g. drinking alcohol, smoking) Theorised by John Stuart Mill
What is the Principle of Utility?
The idea that an action is morally right iff it maximises the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
What is the Preference Satisfaction Theory?
The idea that your well-being increases and life goes well for the person whose life it is iff they get what they want.
What are the Seven Stages of the Hedonic Calculus?
Intensity, Duration, Certainty, Propinquity, Fecundity, Purity, Extent
What is Act Utilitarianism?
The view that an action is right iff it maximises total goodness.
What is Rule Utilitarianism?
The view that an action is right iff it would comply with the set of rules which, if followed universally, would produce the greatest good for the greatest number.
