Utilitarianism

Question 1

Teleological

Answer 1

Looks at the results of an action to determine whether it is right or wrong.

Question 2

Consequentialist

Answer 2

Based on consequences

Question 3

General view of morality

Answer 3

It is not about applying fixed moral rules.
We should seek pleasure and avoid pain.
The basic driver of human life is the pursue of happiness.

Question 4

The principle of utility

Answer 4

“greatest happiness theory”

Question 5

Utility

Answer 5

the extent to which an action produces “benefit, advantages, good or happiness”
It is what moral behaviour should seek to maximise.
“it is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong”

Question 6

Freedom

Answer 6

Utilitarianism requires individuals to make a free decision and think beyond themselves.

Question 7

Democratic

Answer 7

It wants to maximise the balance of good over evil.

Question 8

The Hedonic calculus

Answer 8

A ‘hedonist’ is someone who leads their life in search of pleasure with no pain attached to it.
Bentham judged actions as right or wrong by calculating the balance of pleasure and well-being as opposed to pain or evil.

Question 9

What does the hedonic calculus measure?

Answer 9

Intensity
Duration
Certainty or uncertainty
Propinquity (remoteness)
Fecundity - the chances of the same effects being repeated.
Purity - the chance it has of not being followed by sensations of a similar kind.
Its extent

Question 10

Pros of the hedonic calculus

Answer 10

Clear and well explained 
Modern way of looking at issues such as euthanasia 
Realistic 
Considers consequences
Accessible to all
Positive 
Doesn't require a belief in God.

Question 11

Cons of the hedonic calculus

Answer 11

Controversial implications - could justify euthanasia, slavery, exploitation.
Emphasis on pleasure could reduce our emotions to little more than animal instincts.
Happiness for all isn’t simple as not everyone gets pleasure from the same thing.
What about the minority in pain?
What about loyalty to particular people?

Question 12

Human nature

Answer 12

There is tension between the theory of human nature, which is self interested and the principle of utility, which focuses on the greater good.

Question 13

Roger Crisp

Answer 13

Compared the lives of the composer John Haydn vs oyster.
Surely at one point the life of an oyster becomes more pleasurable as it is much longer?
J.S.Mill addresses this.

Question 14

John Stuart Mill

Answer 14

He believed that human beings are above acting simply on ‘pleasures’ as an animal would.
He believed that the hedonic calculus needed to distinguish between quantities of sensal goods and more important quality goods.

Question 15

J.S.Mill - higher pleasures

Answer 15

Always better.
They satisfy the mind
Social enjoyment, spirituality, intellectual.

Question 16

J.S.Mill - lower pleasures

Answer 16

Not as important as higher pleasures.
Please the body
Drinking, sex, eating, rest.

Question 17

Principle of universibility

Answer 17

If society lets individuals flourish then a combined total will create the greatest good for the greatest number. Mill strongly believed in human rights as they create the conditions in which happiness can be maximised.

Question 18

J.S.Mill - happiness

Answer 18

1. Happiness is a desirable state of affairs.
2. Happiness is the only desirable thing, other things only seem desirable because they lead to happiness.
3. If everyone is happy, personal happiness increases.

Question 19

Act utilitarianism

Answer 19

Driving by the utility in each individual situation.
It can also be known as extreme/direct utilitarianism.
The importance of seeking pleasure and avoiding pain is valued.
Closely links to Jeremy Bentham

Question 20

Act - individualistic

Answer 20

Decisions are made by the person who is presented with the situation.
There is no duty to adopt a particular approach.

Question 21

Act - general utility

Answer 21

The value of an act is the amount it increases general utility.
The concept avoids setting up rules, rules are to be kept if obedience will lead to a net gain of utility.

Question 22

Rule utilitarianism

Answer 22

Established rules for what to do based on the ‘calculation’ of utility if a given action was chosen in all similar circumstances.
Closely linked to John Stuart Mill

Question 23

Rule - common good

Answer 23

Moral laws must be obeyed as they were set up to maximise general welfare in society.
If an action is good it can be repeated in several circumstances and still be beneficial.
Values trust, as it leads to long term well-being.
Long term>individual circumstances.

Question 24

Rule - priority goods

Answer 24

Accommodates for parent/children relationships.

Question 25

Preference utilitarianism

Answer 25

Peter Singer.
Considers the view of the minority.
A decisions is right or wrong based on whether it fits in with what people would rationally prefer - moral acts maximise preferences.
Everyone’s interests are given equal value.
It focuses on minimising suffering rather than increasing pleasure.
Takes into account motivations e.g. charity, selfless devotion

Question 26

Manifest preferences - Harsanyi

Answer 26

What you prefer based on immediate desires and needs.

Question 27

True preferences - Harsanyi

Answer 27

Based on reflecting on all the information known and on the likely consequences.

Question 28

Peter Singer - general good

Answer 28

Some preferences have to be rejected so that the general good is maintained.
The desire for a ‘good life’ is in built into the evolutionary process and transcends society.

Question 29

Weaknesses of preference utilitarianism

Answer 29

Is good really that relative?
It can be whatever we want it to be?
Preferences are not static.

Question 30

Ethical judgements DO lead to utility

Answer 30

It weighs interests rather than respecting old rules.

Focuses on the many, rather than the few.

Question 31

Ethical judgements DONT lead to utility

Answer 31

Justice, fairness and equality are more important than utility.
Alasdair MacIntyre - it justifies horrendous acts for the pleasure of the many.

Question 32

Measuring pleasure does not lead to a moral decision

Answer 32

‘Pleasures’ describe many things.
We may have different views about goods.
It presumes too much foreknowledge about what action will lead to utility.

Question 33

Utilitarianism IS a useful guide - Bernard Williams

Answer 33

1. Does not require religion, therefore no competition with religious systems.
2. Happiness is a reasonable preference.
3. It suggests that moral problems can be solved through a reasonable process.
4. It offers a common currency of moral thought that is easy to apply.
   There is never an option where no option is right.

Question 34

Utilitarianism ISNT a useful guide

Answer 34

It relies on predictions about what will create the greatest good - can we be sure our guesses are right?
It offers no reason to prohibit any action - surely there should be rules against torture/rape?
Unfairness towards minorities - what about equality and human rights?

Question 35

Similarities between Bentham and Mill

Answer 35

Pain/pleasure — human nature
Happiness is the highest goal - purpose of human society
Belief in human progress

Question 36

Differences - Bentham

Answer 36

Quantity of happiness 
All pleasures are the same 
Focuses on individuals
Uses experience
Doesn't value human rights

Question 37

Differences - Mil

Answer 37

Quality of happiness
High pleasure > low pleasures
Focusses on the collective of individual happiness
Applies logic
Believes that society happiness is not possible without individual liberty.