Utilitarianism Flashcards
what is ethical behaviour
behaviour according to virtuous behaviour
what is morality
actions are right or wrong rather than the character of the person performing them
normative ethics
asking what things are good and what are bad, what is right or wrong. “is sex before marriage wrong’
descriptive ethics
describes and compares ways societies answer a moral question ‘what do muslim and christian tradition teach about sex before marriage’
metaethics
‘philosophical ethics’ what do we mean when we say good, bed, right, wrong ‘what does it mean when you say sex before marriage is wrong’
what are the two branches of normative ethics
teleological and deontological
Teleological
end consequence of an action, rightness or wrongness of an action is judged by its outcome
Deontological
important thing is action, not result. concerned with nature of the action as acts are intrinsically right or wrong.
Utilitarianism
> consequence of actions>Jeremy Bentham >’greatest happiness for greatest number’1) views on good and bad and what drives humans2) principle of utility3) hedonic calculus
what is the principle of utility
and action is right if it produces the greatest good for the greatest number
What is the Hedonic calculus
weighs up pleasure and pain1] its intensity2] its duration3] its certainty and uncertainty 4] its propinquity or remoteness5] its fecundity- chance of being followed by more pleasure or more pain6] it purity- chance or being followed by sensations of the following kind7] its extent- how many does it effect
in what ways is utilitarianism compatible with religious approaches
> idea of sacrifice> buddist ideal of avoiding suffering> conscience
in what ways is utilitarianism uncompatible with religious approaches
> moral codes (10 commandments) can be broken> were we born to suffer?> sanctity of life overlooked
Act utilitarianism
> only thing that matters is the amount of happiness or unhappiness caused >no-ones happiness is more important than others> Benthams approach (is similar to this)
criticisms of Act utilitarianism
> justify any act> impractical to judge every time>Extreme results - woman going to cinema > Special responsibility- dad and cancer specialist in crash> justice- innocent to jail as deterrent> some pain is good, some pleasure is bad- sadistic guard> hard to meet all 7 point of calculus
positives of Act Utilitarianism
> happiness is promoted> majority are happy> assess all areas> makes you think> flexible
Rule Utilitarianism
> John Stuart Mill- believed in higher and lower pleasures., differed between qualitative and quantitative > higher qualitative pleasure preferred over lower quantitative> the pursuit of bodily pleasures is not a high pleasure> rules are made to achieve higher pleasures; acts are judged to right or wrong by reference to these rules; so universal welfare is established -> actions are right is they follow the rule.
criticisms of Rule utilitarianism
> different people consider different things higher and lower pleasures> different values in life> applies to wealthy> is it too complex?>effects minorities- slavery acceptable as long as they are minority>selfish- basing your own higher pleasures over basic needs
positives of rule utilitarianism
> overcomes problems from Act Utilitarianism- woman to cinema
preference utilitarianism
a utilitarian theory interested in the best consequence for those involved rather than what creates pleasure and pain> Peter Singer
how worthwhile is the pursuit of happiness and is that all people desire? worthwhile-
> happiness is intrinsically good> achieving greatest happiness for greatest good is useful> pursuing happiness makes your perform better> instinctual?> if it is a group pleasure rather than selfish aim> good for mental well-being> purpose in life
how worthwhile is the pursuit of happiness and is that all people desire? not worthwhile-
> doesn’t guarantee a good outcome> can be achieved through evil means> what you perceive as happiness might not be it when you find it> our happiness might cause others misery> ‘no pain, no gain’> have to receive pain to appreciate pleasure> will we ever be truly happy?> material pleasure change and end
Which is more important pain or pleasure? ending pain and suffering or increasing pleasure? ending pain and suffering-
> outcome more pleasurable> better to end all suffering so more people enjoy pleasure> quality of pleasure may be poor or lower so not worth pursuing > increase of pleasure could mean increase in pain for others> ending suffering is kinder> type of pain
Which is more important pain or pleasure? ending pain and suffering or increasing pleasure? increasing pleasure-
> need pain to appreciate pleasure> never going to please everyone so make majority happy> sometimes to achieve good some have to suffer> if pain is minimal pleasure is more important> pleasure for many is better than none
