Utilitarianism Flashcards
What type of theory is Utilitarianism?
Teleological theory
Consequentialist
Teleological
Goodness or badness is determined by the results or outcomes
- the end justifies the means
Consequentialist
Looks at the consequences of an action
Bentham’s idea of the ‘principle of utility’
‘The greatest happiness for the greatest number’
Utility
The usefulness of the results of actions
Hedonistic theory
‘Good’ is determined in terms of happiness and pleasure
Hedonism
Term used to describe an attitude that makes happiness the goal of life
Epicureans thought of pleasure
Intellectual enjoyment was a pleasure worth seeking
- mental pleasure was better than physical
Hedonic calculus
Takes all the available option in a scenario then weighs up the pain and pleasure
John Locke + David Hume - source of information
Empiricists focused on information from the world rather than just logic alone
Bentham’s view of happiness
Humans work to achieve happiness
Strengths of Utilitarianism
- Recognises we have a strong internal conviction that an action can not be right
- Easier to apply in ethical decision making
- Removes need to work out how best to apply principle of utility
- Allows some flexibility
Weaknesses of Utilitarianism
- Mill does not provide a way to categorise pleasures
- Needs a lengthy analysis about how to behave
- Difficulty knowing when rules can be broken
Rule Utilitarianism
= John Stuart Mill
- Qualitative
- Right action = follows rules
- Universal morals
- Happiness over pleasure
Act Utilitarianism
= Jeremy Bentham
- Quantitative
- Right action = maximises pleasure, minimises pain
- End justifies the means
- Hedonic calculus
- works out rules for each situation
- Principle of utility
John Stuart Mill
- a Hedonist
- stressed happiness over pleasure
- did not agree with the quantitative emphasis in Bentham’s approach
Qualitative
looking at the quality of the pleasure
Mill said “…”
“better to be a human being dissatisfied then a pig satisfied”
- quality of the pleasure that counts
Mill’s belief about pleasure
Higher pleasures are intellectual ones, distinguishing difference between human and animal pleasures
Higher pleasure
satisfy the mind
Lower pleasure
satisfy the body
Strong Rule Utilitarianism
General rules deduced should not be broken
Weak Rule Utilitarianism
General rules deduced can be broken
Factors of Act Utilitarianism
- judged every situation individually and in isolation from the community
- flexible but time consuming
- could not be used to justify anything
Factors of Rule Utilitarianism
- practical to use when creating rules for society
- there needed to be general rules in order for a happy society to function
- can sacrifice individual pleasure
Harm Principle
Action of individuals only limited to prevent harm to other individuals
Instrumentally good
Actions are determined right or wrong by what they produce
Universalisable
Linked to Mill’s Rule Utilitarianism, the ethical rule should apply to all
Weaknesses of the Hedonic Calculus
- confusing to follow for different situations
- time consuming
- subjective of the measure of happiness/pain
- not personal enough
- too general to all situations
Preference Utilitarianism
Moral actions are right or wrong according to how they fit the preferences of those involved
- does not require experience
Singer’s appproach
Concerned with minimising suffering rather then maximising pleasure
- considers the preference of all involved (including animals)
- there is a greater agreement about what causes pain than that which gives you pleasure
Strengths: Negative Utilitarianism
- more ways to do harm than good
- someone would rather ensure against pain before pursuing happiness
Weaknesses: Negative Utilitarianism
- does not recognise that some suffering may be valuable
- may be vulnerable to ‘experience machine’ objective + if the aim is just to avoid pain
Strength: Preference Utilitarianism
- people can clearly state what their preference is in the situation
- easier to satisfy preferences
Weaknesses: Preference Utilitarianism
- difficulties making decisions
- not recognising the preference of certain individuals
- some people may not be able to express their true preference
