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AS Religious Studies > Utilitarianism > Flashcards

Utilitarianism Flashcards

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0
Q

What is a Deontological theory?

A

A theory concerned with the action itself - there are moral rules that can’t be broken.

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1
Q

What is a Teleological theory?

A

A theory concerned with the end result of an action.

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2
Q

Why did Jeremy Bentham invent Utilitarianism?

A

He wanted to remove all the inequalities of his time

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3
Q

What is the principal of utilitarianism?

A

It is concerned with spreading the greatest good for the greatest number

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4
Q

What is Hedonism?

A

Hedonism is the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain

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5
Q

How is the Hedonic Calculus measured?

A

The hedonic calculus is measured by how useful or pleasurable an action is.

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6
Q

Who came up with the “Higher and Lower Pleasures” theory?

A

John Stuart Mill

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7
Q

What is a summary of Mill’s Higher and Lower pleasures?

A

That humans should aim to do things (such as attending an opera or reading a book) that are “higher pleasures” in order to contribute to society,many lower pleasures (eating and poking things) should be avoided.

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8
Q

According to Mill, what kind of pleasure should be pursued?

A

Mill said Higher Pleasures should always be pursued, regardless of if it provides less happiness than the other outcomes.

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9
Q

What are some positive aspects of Mill’s Higher and Lower pleasures?

A

It focuses on the individual, so you don’t have to weigh up consequences affecting society. Also, it is focused on self-improvement

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10
Q

What are some negative aspects to Mill’s Higher and lower pleasures?

A

They’re not accessible to everyone (for example, lower class people can’t afford to go to the opera all the time). Also, it isn’t concerned with happiness at all.

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11
Q

Who is Act Utilitarianism usually associated with?

A

John Stuart Mill, although he didn’t come up with the idea

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12
Q

What is Act utilitarianism?

A

Act utilitarianism is the idea of always doing what will bring about the most general pleasure regardless of the consequences

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13
Q

What is a negative aspect to Act Utilitarianism?

A

It isn’t applicable in real life because doing the most loving thing all the time would break the law, or put you in unsurvivable situations

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14
Q

What are some positive aspects of Act Utilitarianism?

A

It is purely teleological, so if everyone followed it the world would be a perfect place to live

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15
Q

Who is Rule Utilitarianism usually associated with?

A

Jeremy Bentham, although he didn’t come up with the idea

16
Q

What is Rule Utilitarianism?

A

Rule Utilitarianism is concerned with spreading the most pleasure, within the circumstances and laws provided

17
Q

What are some positive aspects of rule utilitarianism?

A

Because of its relaxed nature, it can be followed in society

18
Q

What are some negative aspects of utilitarianism?

A

It is a Deontological theory, so it is completely against the idea of utilitarianism

19
Q

What is preference utilitarianism?

A

Instead of pleasure, preference utilitarianism is concerned with finding the best consequences in terms of preference

20
Q

Who came up with Preference Utilitarianism?

A

R. M. Hare

21
Q

What are some positive aspects of preference utilitarianism?

A

It is very helpful because everyone is happy because their preferences are met.

22
Q

What are some negative aspects of Preference Utilitarianism?

A

It is quite selfish

23
Q

What is Negative Utilitarianism?

A

The antagonist to utilitarianism; instead of focusing on spreading the most pleasure, it is concerned with reducing the most suffering

24
Q

What are some negative aspects to negative utilitarianism?

A

Taken to an extreme, it could encourage the killing of minority groups leading to the extinction of humanity. Also, most people don’t have to experience suffering on a daily basis

25
Q

What are some positive aspects to negative utilitarianism?

A

Reducing suffering is much more helpful than spreading pleasure, so it is more important

AS Religious Studies (3 decks)

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