Utilitarianism

Question 1

Utilitarianism - Introduction

Answer 1

> Greatest happiness for the greatest number
Teleological - focuses on the results of an action
Introduced by Jeremy Bentham

Question 2

Utilitarianism - The principle of utility

Answer 2

> Bentham wanted to find a way of doing ethics that didn’t rely on rules or the Church and that would help social reform
Everyone desires pleasure and avoids pain
The greatest action to take is the one that maximises happiness for the greatest number of people and minimises pain

Question 3

Utilitarianism - Hedonic calculus

Answer 3

A way of measuring whether an action would bring about maximum pleasure and avoid pain
>Intensity - is the pleasure intense or just mild?
>Duration - how long will the pleasure last?
>Certainty or uncertainty - will it definitely = pleasure?
>Propinquity - how far off is the pleasure?
>Fecundity - will it lead to other pleasures too?
>Purity - will it bring pure pleasure?
>Extent - how far-reaching will the pleasure be?

Question 4

Utilitarianism - John Stuart Mill

Answer 4

> JSM added to Bentham’s ideas by creating a distinction between base and higher pleasures In his book ‘Utilitarianism’ (1863)
Quality of pleasure should also be included - intellectual, aesthetic, social, and spiritual pleasures
It is better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied
Art and culture should be seen as a higher pleasure than getting drunk or gluttony
It could be right for someone to sacrifice their own pleasure for the sake of others

Question 5

Utilitarianism - Act utilitarianism

Answer 5

> Each action is considered on its own
Looks at the balance of pleasure and pain produced by that action in that circumstance
No duty to adopt a particular approach because different situations might involve different people and different interests
Avoids setting up rules

Question 6

Utilitarianism - Rule utilitarianism

Answer 6

> Focus on the ‘common good’ rather than each individual action
Looks to create the greatest happiness for the greatest number in the long run
Considers what is best for society what would happen if everyone behaved that way as well as looking at individual circumstances
Recognise general rules that exist for the benefit of everyone

Question 7

Utilitarianism - Strengths

Answer 7

> Flexible and allows for changes in public opinion
Involves reason and sensible consideration of different options
Doesn’t depend on external authority such as religion
Based on practicality and observation that everyone wants to be happy
Based on outcomes that are relatively straightforward to see and measure
Every individual is considered regardless of social status

Question 8

Utilitarianism - Weaknesses

Answer 8

> Hedonic calculus can be time-consuming and difficult to work out, and moral decisions often have to be made quickly
Some people argue that happiness is not a sufficient goal for ethics - goodness and happiness are not the same
Morality of an action should not be judged by its outcome but its motivation
Does not make any reference to God
Minorities lose out because of the ‘greatest happiness for the greatest number’