Utilitarianism

Question 1

What’s the theory of utilitarianism what type of theory

Answer 1

Maximising happiness and reducing pain

Is a consequentialist theory

Question 2

What does utilitarianism believe in terms of key concepts

Answer 2

Believes no moral actions have intrinsic value only instrumental if produce Greatest number of happiness

Question 3

What do utilitarianists always think

Answer 3

The end justifies the means , links to situation ethics

Question 4

What’s Bentham utility

Answer 4

Idea of nature has placed under the governance of two sovereign masters pain and pleasure , argued this is how we naturally are , must seek pleasure

Question 5

The principle of utility

Answer 5

Saves lots of people by maximising pleasure and minimising pain for the greatest number of people

Question 6

What’s the hedonic calculus ?

Answer 6

This is a metaphorical scale to determine how you can calculate get the most pleasure and pain when in a given situation
Seven factors , intensity , duration, certainty , Richness , extent , remoteness

Question 7

Weaknesses of act utilitarianism

Answer 7

happiness can not be quantified as happiness is far more complex than the hedonic calculus allows
- other values more important such as justice or developing a virtue

• Doesn’t consider motive or intention of individuals or have moral significance
  Could lead to immoral actions such As justifying the Nazi attitudes

Question 8

Strengths of act utilitarianism

Answer 8

This is easy and convenient as most people live like this , therefore relevant to the individual
This is supported by Robert E Goodin most people peruse hedonism
Similar to democracy

Question 9

What’s mills Mills higher and lower pleasures ?

Answer 9

Mills higher pleasures help people to reach their full potential
Lower pleasures which help people fulfill their basic needs and urges

Question 10

What is Mill concered with what’s a relevant quote

Answer 10

The quality of pleasure ‘ it’s better to be a human disattisfed then a 🐷 satiated , it better to be Socrates disattisfed then a fool satisfied. And if the fool or pig think other wise that is because they know only their side of the question.

Question 11

What’s rule utilitarianism

Answer 11

The theory which holds that the right action is one which follows rules that If universally obeyed would create the maximum amount of happiness and minimum amount of pain

Question 12

What do the tow philosophers measure it a

Answer 12

Mill measure it as qualitatively Bentham measures it quantitatively ( in terms of its quantity )

Question 13

Strengths

Answer 13

We have a strong internal conviction that an action cannot be right depending on the most amount of happiness , other principles other principles need to be considered

Question 14

Rule utilitarianism or act utilitarianism

Answer 14

It’s easier to apply because it clear to follow

Question 15

Another strength

Answer 15

Allows some flexibility with the notion of strong and weak utilitarianism

Question 16

Weaknesses

Answer 16

Henry Sedgwick suggests their is no moral agent to help distinguish about higher and lower pleasures mill doesn’t offer a categorisation of the pleasures