Utilitarianism Flashcards
absolutist/objective
there is an absolute moral truth that all humans can access
relativist
cultural-right or wrong depends on culture
moral-right and wrong depends on circumstances
vulgar relativism
we have no right to criticise others because they are not ‘wrong’-they just do things differently
subjectivism
depends on individual
deontological
duty
teleological/ consequestionalist
look at consequesnces
hedonism
the purpose of life is to find happiness
what did jeremy betham believe
the purpose of life is to find happiness-for the greatest number
the principle of utility
greatest happiness for greatest number
what is the hedonic calculus
duration intensity propinquinty extent certainty
2 strengths of the hedonic calculus
- concerned with consequences
- practical
what is tyranny of the majority
as long as most people want it, we will do it, not thinking about the group that are unhappy
bentham system is quantitative, what is this
its all about the numbers of people who will be happy
what did Mills believe
‘better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied’
what is qualitative research
quality matters more
what is qualitative utilitarianism
recognises the importance of education-giving everyone equal opportunities for ‘higher pleasures’
Give an example for Mill
euthanasia
what is act utilitarianism
look at each individuals situation
what is rule utilitarianism
will weigh up consequences
what does a hard rule utilitarian believe
stick to the rules
what does a soft utilitarian believe
some ruled must be broken to gain full happiness
give a scholar who is an act utilitarian
Bentham
give a rule utilitarian
Mill
give 2 strengths of bethams utilitarianism
- practical
- very flexible
