Utilitarianism Flashcards
Key ideas about a just society accordinging to utilitarianism
distributes the things we prize by welfare
utilitarianism
maximizing hapiness
key thinkers in utilitarianism
Jeremy Bentham
Jeremy Bentham
rejected “natural rights”
affirmed the principle of utility as inarguable
“the greatest good for the greatest number”
; moral calculus of cost benefits analysis
objections to utilitarianism
fails to respect individual rights
not all values can be measure by a common currency
! basing decisions primarily on expected consequences can be problematic
moral calculus benefit analysis
if the benefits outweigh the costs, the action is morally justified
examples of utilitarianism
crime aversion therapy, the good bribe
John Stuart Mill
tried to save utilitarianism by recasting a more humane doctrine
role of government in ulitiltarianism
minimize the discomfort of the majority and maximize happiness
ex. pauper management
