Utilitarianism Flashcards
What type of ethical theory is utilitarianism?
Consequentialist
What phrase can sum it up?
The greatest good for the greatest number
How did the theory start off?
As a political theory with the aim of improving society by giving everyone an objective approach to right and wrong which would allow the laws to be clearer and enforced better as everyone had the same ethical standpoint.
What type of person was Jeremy Bentham?
A hedonist - someone who seeks pleasure, therefore believed the route to morality lies in the pursuit of happiness.
What did Bentham famously say?
‘Nature has placed (humanity) under the governance of the two sovereign masters, pleasure and pain.’. Thus, an act is good if it brings about pleasure, and vice versa.
What did Bentham compose to avoid subjectivity?
Hedonic Calculus
What are the 7 criteria for the hedonic calculus?
Intensity Duration Certainty Extent Remoteness Richness Purity
How could the murder of a paedophile be seen?
Moral, provided it brings about happiness to he majority.
What weaknesses did John Stuart Mill see in the theory?
Too basic
Disregards mankind’s intrinsic ability to reason
In this, Mill distinguished between higher and lower order pleasures.
What are ‘lower’ or ‘base pleasures’?
Physical pleasures, such as hunger, thirst or sexual gratification.
What are ‘higher order’ pleasures?
Pleasures which invoke the human capacity to reason, such as the enjoyment of ballet, poetry and arts.
What quote summed this view of the disparity between higher and lower order pleasures?
‘It is better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied’.
How did Mill think society could be bettered?
More people believing in higher order pleasures.
What other type of Utilitarianism is Mill linked with?
Rule Utilitarianism.
What is strong rule utilitarianism?
Allows for the greatest rule for the greatest number within society’s boundaries.
A white lie might be allowed without perjury.
