Utilitarianism

Question 1

What is utilitarianism

Answer 1

It is the principle that the right actions are those that produce the greatest pleasure for the greatest number and wrong actions are those that don’t. “Greatest good for the greatest number” - Jeremy Bentham

Question 2

What type of theory is it?

Answer 2

Democratic theory as it can’t be for one person alone (always thinking for more than one person)

Question 3

What is the hedonic calculus?

Answer 3

It weighs pain and pleasure considering 7 factors:
Intensity
Duration 
Certainty
Propinquity (closeness)
Fecundity (chance of there being further pleasures 
Purity
Extent (number of people)

Question 4

What does utilitarianism focus on?

Answer 4

Focuses on the results or consequences of our actions and treats intentions as irrelevant

Question 5

Who was utilitarianism founded by?

Answer 5

John Stuart mill and Jeremy benthem

Question 6

How should actions be measured in?

Answer 6

In terms of the happiness or pleasure that they produce

Question 7

What is act utilitarianism

Answer 7

In any given situation you should chose the action that produces the greatest good for the greatest number

Question 8

What is rule utilitarianism?

Answer 8

This version of the theory says that we ought to live by rules that in general, are likely to lead to the greatest good for the greatest number

Question 9

What is the principle of utility ?

Answer 9

The principle claims that we should chose the action most likely to bring about the greatest happiness of the greatest number. No action is judged solely on its own merits but must be judged in terms of its usefulness in the given circumstance.

Question 10

What are the strengths of utilitarianism?

Answer 10

Straightforward, based on the single principle of minimising pain and maximising pleasure

Doesn’t require the acceptance of prior religious beliefs therefore it’s moral discussions can be appreciated across different religions and cultures

Jesus preached an ethic that required humans to work for the well being of others, “do to others as you would have them do to u”

Question 11

Weaknesses of utilitarianism?

Answer 11

Difficult to predict the consequences

Difficult to define what is meant by happiness as it’s subjective

Gives no credit to motivation- not every action done out of good will is going to result in good consequences but the action with which it is performed should be worthy of some credit

We can’t assume that the majority is always right. There should be room for both the majority and the minority views to be accommodated

The responsibility for bringing about the best outcome belongs to god and not humankind