utilitarianism

Question 1

who introduced the idea of utilitarianism?

Answer 1

Jeremy Bentham- He wanted to find a way of doing ethics that did not rely on rules or the church and that would help social reform.

Question 2

what to Jeremy believe everyone desires?

Answer 2

pleasure and hopes to avoid pain.

Question 3

The principle of utility is known as what?

Answer 3

the greatest happiness principle. seeking the greatest balance of good over evil, or greatest pleasure over pain.

Question 4

what is the greatest happiness principle?

Answer 4

A principle that says the best course of action to take is one which maximises happiness for the greatest number of people, and minimises pain.

Question 5

what is the hedonic calculus?

Answer 5

A way of measuring weather an action would bring about maximum pleasure and avoid pain.

Question 6

what are the several factors to consider when calculating the pleasure or pain an action is likely to generate? define-intensity and duration.

Answer 6

1. Intensity- will it be intense pleasure, or just mild?

2. Duration- How long is the pleasure likely to last?

Question 7

define- certainty or uncertainty and propinquity?

Answer 7

3. certainty or uncertainty- Will it definitely bring pleasure: how likely is it?
4. Propinquity- How far off (in the future) is the pleasure or pain?

Question 8

define- fecundity and purity?

Answer 8

5. Fecundity- is the pleasure likely to lead to other pleasures to?
6. Purity- Will it bring pure pleasure or will there be some pain involved as well?

Question 9

define Extent?

Answer 9

7. Extent- how far- reaching will the pleasure be; will it effect a lot of people?

Question 10

What does John mill Stuart add to Bentham’s ideas?

Answer 10

Making a distinction between ‘higher pleasures’ and ‘base pleasures’.

Question 11

Mill says the quality of pleasure should also be included, what does this mean?

Answer 11

Both Intellectual, aesthetic, social and spiritual pleasures.

Question 12

What did mill say it was better to be?

Answer 12

Better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig being satisfied- we should not be content with just seeking sensual pleasure, like other animals.

Question 13

What did mill think about art and culture?

Answer 13

art and culture should be considered more important than pleasures such as getting drunk or gluttony.

Question 14

Mill thought it would be right for individuals to do what?

Answer 14

to sacrifice his or her own pleasure for the sake of other people.

Question 15

what is act utilitarianism?

Answer 15

Each action is considered on its own.

Question 16

Act utilitarianism looks at what?

Answer 16

The balance or pleasure and pain that is likely to be produced by the particular action in those particular circumstances.

Question 17

In act utilitarianism there is no duty to adopt a particular approach, why?

Answer 17

because a different situation might involve different people with different interests.

Question 18

what does act utilitarianism avoid?

Answer 18

setting up rules, An act might bring about maximal pleasure in one set of circumstances, but the same act might bring more pain in another.

Question 19

what is rule utilitarianism?

Answer 19

The focus is on the ‘common good’ rather than on each individual action.

Question 20

What does rule utilitarianism look to create?

Answer 20

The greatest happiness for the greatest number in the long run.

Question 21

What does rule utilitarianism consider?

Answer 21

considers what is best for society and what would happen if everyone behaved this way, as well as looking at individual circumstances.

Question 22

What do rule utilitarian’s recognise?

Answer 22

general rules that exist for the benefit of everyone, such as promise- keeping and truth telling.