Utilitarianism

Question 1

G.E. Moore

Answer 1

Agreed with the principle but believed that some things other than pleasurable experiences were intrinsically good. He states that utilitarianism fails to ‘ distinguish clearly that unique and indefinable quality which we mean by good ‘

Question 2

Nina Rosenstand

Answer 2

Supported Bentham’s hedonic calculus as several workplaces use the hedonic calculus in the hiring process.

Question 3

Trotsky

Answer 3

‘The ends justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end ‘. This suggests that the means may not necessarily be justified as this theory is based on predicting future consequences. These are hard to predict.

Question 4

W.D. Ross

Answer 4

’ we cannot simply rely upon a simple principle or equation such as the greatest good /pleasure / happiness ‘ and pointed out the difficulties of a single factor moral theory.

Question 5

Simon Blackburn

Answer 5

’ utilitarianism does not take seriously the separateness of persons - the idea being that it subordinates the right of the individual to solidarity with the greatest welfare ‘ this means that’s many people for example the minority may not be considered in the overall welfare of others.

Question 6

Vardy and Grosch

Answer 6

Cited the case of a young pregnant women planning a ski trip. If she aborts the foetus in order to do an ski the pleasure will be short term and minor. If she chooses to abandon the holiday , the long lasting intense pleasure of having the child will outweighs the initial disappointment.

Question 7

J.C. Smart

Answer 7

In general we sum things up by saying that if we are human , kind benevolent people , we want as many as possible , now and in the future to be as happy as possible ‘

Question 8

Mill

Answer 8

It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied, better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.

Question 9

R.M. Hare

Answer 9

Weakness with rule utilitarianism. Is that if a menace runs into a shop and asks where the person is has gone instinct would be to lie , a rule utilitarian would have to be honest , because you aren’t allowed to break a rule even though in this situation greater good would come from lying

Question 10

Alasdair MacIntyre

Answer 10

Utilitarianism could justify horrendous acts as being for the pleasure of many. Focus on happiness is the cause of the problem. ‘ That men are happy with their lot never entails that their lot is what is ought to because the question Can always be raised of how great the price is that is being paid for the happiness ‘

Question 11

What did Bentham say ? what’s the sovereign of two masters quote ?

Answer 11

‘Nature has placed ( humanity ) under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do , as well as to determine what we shall do’

Question 12

Jesus teachings

Answer 12

You should ‘ do to others as you would have them do to you ‘( Matthew 7:12)
You should do things which result in pleasure for other people

Question 13

Sidgwick

Answer 13

How do we distinguish between pleasures in practice.