Utilitarianism

Question 1

Define utilitarianism.

Answer 1

Trying to maximise happiness is the right thing to do because good can be reduced to happiness
Egalitarian - all happiness is equal
Consequentialist - the moral worth is found in the consequence

Question 2

What is psychological hedonism?

Answer 2

The end goal of all actions is to gain happiness.

No matter what we do, it is usually done in the pursuit of happiness.

Question 3

Criticise psychological hedonism (Nozick’s experience machine)

Answer 3

When asked to enter a machine that guaranteed a happy life, with no knowledge of being in it, a lot of people would say no.
This shows that there is more to pursue than happiness - such as the truth

Question 4

How does Mill respond to Nozick’s experience machine?

Answer 4

The machine only focuses on lower pleasures such as tastes, sensations and so on.
Many humans prefer less intense pleasures - higher pleasures, such as reading

Question 5

Explain the utility principle by Bentham

Answer 5

Bentham argues that the best outcome is one that causes the maximum happiness and minimal pain

Question 6

Explain the felicific calculus

Answer 6

1. Calculate the amount of pleasure by;
   Intensity, duration, certainty and remoteness of pleasure/pain
2. Examine the effects by;
   Fecundity and purity of pleasure/pain

Question 7

What are higher and lower pleasures?

Answer 7

Pleasures of the mind are higher pleasures
Pleasures of the body are lower pleasures
Those who have experienced both would choose higher pleasures over lower pleasures because, even if they aren’t as pleasent
‘It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied’

Question 8

What is act utilitarianism?

Answer 8

By Jeremy Bentham
In order to do what is right in any particular situation, we must calculate the effects of each potential act on its own merits (the hedonistic calculus)

Question 9

What is rule utilitarianism?

Answer 9

What is needed is a set of ethical rules, in order to determine what is right. Such as, ‘don’t lie’ and ‘keep your promise’. If followed by all, they will generate the best result.

Question 10

What is the advantage of rule utilitarianism and rights?

Answer 10

Can justify the adoption of human rights
An act utilitarian could justify the organ lottery case but a rule utilitarian could say no because not killing maximises general happiness

Question 11

What is the issue with strong rule utilitarianism?

Answer 11

In the axeman example, ‘don’t lie’ would be more important than saving your friend

Question 12

How would a weak rule utilitarian solve the axeman problem?

Answer 12

A weak utilitarian would allow lying on that occasion because sometimes rules need to be broken in order to maximise happiness.

Question 13

What is preference utilitarianism?

Answer 13

An action should be judged by the extent to which it conforms with the preferences of all those affected by the action.
By focusing on what people actually want rather than someone else’s say, it can avoid the criticism of social engineering.

Question 14

What are the strengths of utilitarianism

Answer 14

Basing the theory on something tangible allows reason to compare and contrast different actions and provide a common moral ‘currency’ that is flexible, universal, non-religious and not cultural specific.

Question 15

What is the problem of individual liberty and rights for utilitarinism?

Answer 15

Act utilitarianism could lead to counter-intuitive moral judgements
For example; according to act utilitarianism, kidnapping an orphan boy and keeping him as a slave is acceptable because there is more pleasure gained from the family than there is displeasure for the boy
However, rule can overcome this problem

Question 16

What is the problems with calculations for utilitarianism?

Answer 16

To use the felicific calculus is an issue because it’s very time consuming and everyone values different pleasures differently so you would have to ask every individual person to get the exact amount

Question 17

Why are the value of motives and character an issue for utilitarianism?

Answer 17

The consequence of an act isn’t always a good representative of the ethics behind it.
For example; an evil scientist poisoning the local water supply but accidentally making a cure for arthritis - to a utilitarian this would be a good action, although we know it is not

Question 18

Why is the value of relationships an issue for utilitarianism?

Answer 18

Because utilitarianism is an egalitarian theory, this involves not favouring yourself or those close to you
When faced with a burning house situation where you can only save your son or a scientist, a utilitarian would save the scientist but most people would save their own son

Question 19

What would a utilitarian say about breaking the law?

Answer 19

Default position of an act utilitarian is that law breaking is wrong.
However, in the case of robin hood where the crime is not discovered, it was a good act because he was giving to the poor and the millionaire never found out, but if he was found out both Robin and the millionaire will suffer so it is bad.
A strong rule utilitarian would say that it is wrong to break the law full stop because they are moral rules - the only time it would be acceptable is if the law was unjust e.g. Ghandi getting salt from the sea and not paying tax

Question 20

What would a utilitarian say about punishment?

Answer 20

Egalitarian - the pain of a prisoner is equal to anyone else so they must not be unjust and it can only be justified if it prevents future harm
Punishment should be graded according to offence - less harm from the offence, less punishment
Capital punishment is unsure - Singer and Bentham argue against it but Mill says that you have a right to life unless you kill others

Question 21

What would a utilitarian say about war?

Answer 21

An act would say that a just war is one likely to lead to overall happiness than if it were not fought in some cases.
A rule utilitarian would say that countries should collectively work out rules for war then any subsequent decision to go to war should be based on these rules
For fair warfare an act utilitarian cannot view any method as being intrinsically immoral so no act of war is ruled out - meaning chemical warfare and preemprive strike can be justified as long as it creates a greater amount of happiness - but it can be justified that a war will be over faster meaning less suffering

Question 22

What would a utilitarian say about simulated killing?

Answer 22

Positive;
Can produce a lot of pleasure
Secondary pleasures from engaging with culture
Supplies jobs
Improves motor skills
Negative;
Anti-social behaviour
Harmful effects on health
People get offended

Simulated killing is a lower pleasure - Mill
Preference - people should be able to seek their own pleasures

Question 23

What would a utilitarian say about the treatment of animals?

Answer 23

Singer says that we cannot base equality on intelligence or anything like that because not everyone has that. Equality should be based on sentience. Animals are sentient and it would be speciesism to give treat them cruelly.
However the eating of animals are fine because an animal does not have a conscious preference to stay alive but the unnecessary cruelty is wrong.
With experimentations, if the experiment is essential then it is allowed but if it can be done in a way that generates less suffering then it is wrong

Question 24

What would a utilitarian say about deception and telling of lies?

Answer 24

Strong rule would say that it is always wrong to lie because it breaks a rule that would be best for everyone to follow. However, a weak rule utilitarian would say that it would be appropriate to lie in certain situations as long as it maximises the happiness. E.g. Axe murderer