Utilitarianism Flashcards
What are the “two sovereign masters” according to Jeremy Bentham?
Pain and pleasure.
What is the principle of utility as proposed by Bentham?
The idea that we should do whatever increases overall good.
What is Bentham’s definition of right and wrong?
“The greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right or wrong.”
Why does Bentham reject an appeal to the good of the community?
Because he believes it is merely a sum of individual goods.
What is the purpose of the hedonic calculus?
To calculate which course of action maximizes pleasure.
Name four factors in the hedonic calculus.
Intensity, duration, certainty, and extent.
What did John Stuart Mill think was a problem with Bentham’s utilitarianism?
It focused too much on pleasure and was too complex to apply in all situations.
How did Mill distinguish between different types of pleasure?
He classified them as higher (intellectual) and lower (bodily) pleasures.
What is an example of a higher pleasure according to Mill?
Reading, poetry, or music.
What famous quote does Mill use to illustrate his preference for higher pleasures?
“It is better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied.”
How does act utilitarianism determine moral actions?
By evaluating each situation on a case-by-case basis.
What is a key strength of act utilitarianism?
Flexibility in decision-making.
How does rule utilitarianism determine moral actions?
By following rules that historically lead to the greatest good.
What is the difference between strong and weak rule utilitarianism?
Strong rule utilitarianism holds that rules should always be followed, while weak rule utilitarianism allows breaking rules if it maximizes happiness.
What key issue does preference utilitarianism address?
That not everyone has the same view of happiness.
According to preference utilitarianism, what is the morally good action?
The one that maximizes the satisfaction of most people’s preferences.
How does Peter Singer suggest we make moral decisions?
By adopting the perspective of an impartial observer.
How does utilitarianism approach the trolley problem?
It supports diverting the train to kill one person instead of five, as it results in less overall harm.
How did Bentham and Mill influence views on sexuality?
They supported decriminalizing homosexuality and advocating for equal rights.
Why is utilitarianism considered progressive?
It adapts to changing societal values.
What is a major difficulty with Bentham’s utilitarianism?
The complexity of calculating all possible consequences.
How does Mill’s version address this difficulty?
By relying on established secondary principles instead of complex calculations.
Why do some argue that utilitarianism conflicts with human rights?
Because it bases morality on outcomes rather than intrinsic rights.
What is the “tyranny of the majority” issue in utilitarianism?
The possibility that the happiness of many could justify harming a few.
How does Mill counter the issue of justifying harmful actions like torture?
By applying the harm principle, which prioritizes avoiding harm to individuals.
What is a common counterargument to utilitarian ethics in life-or-death scenarios?
It can lead to morally questionable decisions, such as saving a painting over a child to maximize overall benefit.
