Utilitarianism Flashcards
What did Bentham write in 1789 on prevention of war?
‘A Plan for Universal and Perpetual Peace’
What was Bentham’s view on war?
It is essentially ruinous with no true benefits
Which war did Mill primarily write about?
American Civil War
What was Mill’s view on war?
Sometimes necessary, resulting in greater happiness
What is the stance of Rule Utilitarians on nuclear weapons?
Harming civilians is unacceptable, but they may be permissible as a deterrent
What is the stance of Act Utilitarians on nuclear weapons?
Suffering caused by the threat of nuclear weapons may contaminate any consequential happiness
What did Peter Singer write concerning speciesism and medical experimentation?
Animal Liberation (2005)
What is the view of Peter Singer on use of animals in medical research?
It is speciesism, animal suffering should be treated as equal to human suffering
What is Bentham’s view on animal experimentation?
The pain experienced by the animal must be balanced against the pain experienced by the person suffering
What is Mill’s view on animal experimentation?
Human pleasure/pain is of a higher quality than animal so may be prioritised
What does Singer argue that consistency in views on animal experimentation requires?
Permission of experiments on children of unconscious people
What does Bentham argue about animal equality?
Animals are not agents but they experience pleasure and pain, and so their happiness is worth the same as human
What does Mill argue about animal equality?
Laws and decisions made for people and animals who can’t do so for themselves must be made only for the benefit of those concerned
How is Mill’s Utilitarianism teleological?
Has the end purpose of creating the greatest happiness for the greatest number
How is Mill’s Utilitarianism deontological?
Enforces the sense of duty that all moral agent have to obey laws established by the principle of utility
What of Bentham’s theory is rejected by Mill?
The idea that all happiness is the same
What is Thomas Carlyle’s ‘Pig Philosophy’?
Criticism of Utilitarianism, arguing it suggests happiness from ignorance is equal to happiness from productivity
What was Mill’s approach to Utilitarianism?
Qualitative, type and quality of happiness should be considered
What are lower pleasures?
Sensual and physical pleasure that a person may have in common with animals - easily obtained
What are higher pleasures?
Intellectual pleasures, which may be contaminated by dissatisfaction, such as appreciation of art
What is the Harm Principle?
States the individual should be allowed freedom to pursue pleasure as long as no harm is caused
What is the stance of Utilitarianism on self-harm?
It is not acceptable to interfere with a self-harming person unless that or incapable of rational decision making
What is the purpose of the Harm Principle?
Protects minorities whilst allowing individual freedom
When does Utilitarianism deny complete freedom?
When children/others are in the care of protection of others
What is Rule Utilitarianism?
People should pursue their own private pleasures to result in the greatest happiness but this is subject to rules established for society’s general happiness
How should utilitarian rules be calculated?
According to the principle of utility and experience accumulated through life
What is Weak Rule Utilitarianism?
The allowance for times where rules may be set aside
What is Strong Rule Utilitarianism?
There are no exceptions to laws based on the principle of utility
What according to Bentham is the aim of all moral action?
Pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain
What was Bentham’s approach to pleasure?
Quantitative, amount over quality
What is the Principle of Utility?
The governing principle that one ought to act to produce maximum happiness and reduce pain
What is the Hedonic Calculus?
The criteria used by Bentham to measure happiness
What are the 7 criteria of the Hedonic Calculus?
Duration
Remoteness
Purity
Richness
Intensity
Certainly
Extent
What is the criteria of remoteness of happiness?
How soon it will be experienced
What is the richness of happiness?
The likelihood it will lead to more of similar sensations
What did Bentham require the Hedonic Calculus to be used for?
Calculating the happiness for each person affected by an action
What is the view of Act Utilitarianism on punishment?
Can only be justified if the pain caused is out-balanced by greater reduction in pain
How should the principle of utility be applied?
On a case-by-case basis
What was Bentham’s view of legalism?
Laws should not be altogether abandoned but not followed blindly
How is Act Utilitarianism morally relativist?
Does not hold an action is inherently good or evil, but can be measured by quantity of happiness or pain produced
How is Act Utilitarianism consequentialist?
Weighs up happiness or pain produced
How is Act Utilitarianism teleological?
The purpose of actions is to produce the greatest happiness
Where are the roots of Classical Act Utilitarianism found?
Plato, Aristotle and Epicurus
How is Classical Act Utilitarianism hedonistic?
Aims to maximise pleasure as the greatest good
What is the primary concern of Classical Act Utilitarianism?
Legal and social reform
What is the theory of utility?
Right actions are those that reduce pleasure and reduce pain
Speciesism - Singer
‘a prejudice or attitude of bias in favour of the interests of members of one’s own species against those of members of other species’
War - Mill
‘war is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things’
Consequentialism - Edmonds
‘Utilitarianism states that what matters are the consequences of an action, whether the action produces the most happiness’
Antinomianism - Bentham
‘extraordinary occasions may now and then occur, in which the happiness of the person may be better promoted by acting, for the moment, in opposition to the law, than in subservience to it’
Pleasure and pain - Mill
‘it is better to be a human being dissatisfies than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfies than a pig satisfied’
Utilitarianism promotes immorality:
- Happiness is subjective and individual
- Allows minority to suffer
- Religious teachings are universally and reliably applicable
Utilitarian does not promote immorality:
- Based on democratic and fair philosophy
- Harm principle and hedonic calculus should defend against immorality if used properly
- Considers consequences primarily
Rule utilitarianism is better for morality than act:
- Hedonic calculus is unclear and open to abuse as is individual centred
- Rule combines focus on quantity and quality
- Rule is more thoughtful and practical i guiding
Rule utilitarianism is not better for morality that act:
- Hedonic calculus has a clear method of application and is thorough
- Act is morally democratic, seeking the fairest result
- Mill complicates things by differentiating strong and weak
Utilitarianism works in a modern society:
- Act is the basis for modern political democracy
- Motivation of pleasure and avoidance of pain are universal and reasonable
- Not prescriptive or restrictive
Utilitarianism does not work in a modern society:
- Allows a minority to suffer
- Ignores intention, suggesting good is incidental and of no relevance
- People are fallible and inconsistent
Pleasure is the sole intrinsic good:
- Can be re-interpreted as eudaimonia which is more virtuous
- Pleasure is vital for mental health and quality of life
- Life is to be enjoyed not suffered
Pleasure is not the sole intrinsic good:
- Does not equate good
- Interpretive and subjective
- Self sacrifice and discipline are often necessary in achieving good
Utilitarianism is a practical basis for moral decision making for religious believers:
- Jesus’ sacrifice is a clear example of the principle of utility
- The Christian Golden Rule is a basic principle intended to bring about universal happiness
- Religious principles relate to Strong Rule Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is not a practical basis for moral decision making for religious believers:
- God’s rules and teachings are the only universal and consistent rules for morality
- Many religions present pain and suffering as necessary for spiritual development
- Some religious teachings promote means to an end and individuality
Utilitarianism promotes justice:
- It is the duty of society to protect its subjects
- The Harm Principle defends against injustice
- Focuses on society as a whole
Utilitarianism does not promote justice:
- Doesn’t determine whether it is better to promote pleasure or avoid pain
- Subjective
- Minority suffering
