Utilitarianism

Question 1

Where does the word utilitarianism come from?

Answer 1

The name ‘utilitarianism’ comes from the word ‘utility’, which means ‘usefulness’

Question 2

What does utilitarianism argue?

Answer 2

In particular it concerns itself with working out how useful an action is based upon assessing its end resultsUtilitarian’s argue that everyone should do the thing that produces the most ‘useful’ end

Question 3

What is the thinking behind utilitarianism?

Answer 3

1. The most useful end is seen as that which brings the maximum levels of happiness or pleasure and minimise pain2. Therefore, actions that produce the most happiness are the best course of action (i.e. good moral actions)3. This way of assessing which course of action is the best one to take is known as the ‘greatest happiness principle’

Question 4

Finish the Jeremy Bentham quote, ‘Nature has place mankind …

Answer 4

… under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well as to determine what we shall do.’

Question 5

Bentham believed that not only do pain and pleasure explain our actions but they help us what?

Answer 5

define what is good and moral

Question 6

What did Bentham believe utilitarianism could provide a basis for?

Answer 6

social, legal, and moral reform in society

Question 7

ALL AO1 for Jeremy Bentham CONDENSED

Answer 7

• Social reformer – tried to change society- Happiness is the sovereign good- Hedonist – hedonism is the pursuit of pleasure- One of the founders of utilitarianism- Happiness is the supreme ethical value- Maximum pleasure versus minimum pain- Happiness = pleasure – pain- Humans should avoid pain- Utilitarian calculus

Question 8

What is the greatest happiness principle?

Answer 8

The Greatest Happiness Principle is at the heart of a number of ethical theories that fall under the umbrella ‘utilitarianism’The rightness of wrongness of an action is determined by its ‘utility’ or uselessnessUsefulness refers to the amount of pleasure or happiness caused by the action

Question 9

Finish the Bentham quote and explain: ‘It is the greatest good …

Answer 9

… to the greatest number of people which is the ensure of right and wrong.’- Bentham believed that an action can be judged right or wrong depending on the quantity of happiness produced i.e. if the majority are happy the action is right

Question 10

Finish the Bentham quote and explain: ‘The greatest happiness of …

Answer 10

… the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation.’- The greatest happiness principle should be the basis of a countries moral and legal system i.e. democratic society is the most useful- Laws and morals are founded on their impact on the majority

Question 11

Finish the Bentham quote and explain: ‘Nature has placed mankind …

Answer 11

… under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure.’- Bentham believed all humans pursued pleasure and sought to avoid pain- He saw this as a moral fact- Pleasur3e and pain identified what we should and should not do- We should always aim for maximum pleasure

Question 12

What is the hedonic calculus?

Answer 12

• The principle of utility, or usefulness, centres on the act of delivering the greatest amount of pleasure and the least amount of pain- Bentham’s solution to measuring the balance was his ‘hedonic calculus’It is a calculator, a way of measuring happiness

Question 13

WHat 7 parts make up the hedonic calculus?

Answer 13

1. Propinquity – how near it is2. Purity – how free from pain it is3. Fecundity – to what extent it will lead to other pleasures4. Intensity – how powerful it is5. Certainty – how likely it is to result6. Extent – how many people it affects7. Duration – how long it lasts

Question 14

Why does the hedonic calculator have 7 parts?

Answer 14

The hedonic calculus has 7 parts to it, in order for a clear decision to be made

Question 15

Define act utilitarianism

Answer 15

Usually associated with Jeremy Bentham, act utilitarianism is the idea that the hedonic calculus should be applied to the situation without considering previous experience.

Question 16

Define rule utilitarianism

Answer 16

Usually associated with John Stuart Mill, rule utilitarianism is the idea that the correct action is the one that both conforms to the rules and leads to the greatest good. There is a strong form and weak form, with the latter allowing rules to be disobeyed if a greater amount of good comes from doing so.

Question 17

How does John Stuart Mill distinguish between higher and lower pressures?

Answer 17

Mill distinguished between higher and lower pleasures, with the higher pleasures being qualitatively (the quality of the pleasure) better and more important than the lower pleasures.

Question 18

Finish the John Stuart Mill quote, ‘It is better…

Answer 18

… to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied’

Question 19

Generally how does a life of high pleasures differ?

Answer 19

A life of higher pleasures many be more difficult, but it will be more rewarding.

Question 20

Examples of higher pleasures

Answer 20

.Education.Art.Literature.Poetry.Morality.Philosophy

Question 21

Examples of lower pleasures

Answer 21

.Food.Sex.Sleep

Question 22

What is act utilitarianism?

Answer 22

A teleological theory that uses the outcome of the action to determine whether it is good or badYou must consider the consequences of the act and what will bring back the greatest happinessAct utilitarianism is flexible – only one rule: we should always seek the greatest happiness for the greatest number in all situations

Question 23

An aspect of Mill’s utilitarianism approach is the idea that there must be what?

Answer 23

rules to establish social order. These rules, however, should be those that, if followed universally, produce the greatest happiness for the benefit of society.

Question 24

In rule utilitarianism, how is an action judged right or wrong?

Answer 24

An action is judged right or wrong by the goodness or badness of the consequences of a rule that everyone should follow in similar situations (e.g. telling the truth).

Question 25

Who is Jeremy Bentham and what idea did he develop?

Answer 25

Jeremy Bentham was one of the founders of utilitarianism and the hedonic calculus, he wrote ‘Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure.’

Question 26

What is the principle of utility?

Answer 26

The principle of utility is the idea that we should do the greatest good for the greatest number of people, this provides a social, legal and moral foundation for societal reform.

Question 27

How did John Stuart Mill differ from Bentham?

Answer 27

Bentham followed act utilitarianism, while John Stuart Mill followed rule utilitarianism. Essentially, Mill uses the consequences of rules to help him find the greatest good for the greatest number. This is done by comparing all relevant similar circumstances or settings at any time.

Question 28

Why is utilitarianism seen as a simple ethical system?

Answer 28

All you have to do is weigh up the consequences, if the good outweighs the bad then it is the correct thing to do.

Question 29

Why might utilitarianism have gained popularity in the 19th century?

Answer 29

It avoids the need for religions and divination, it replaces revelation with reason and has no need for the Bible – the western void, a decline in Christianity and an increase in scientific discovery.

Question 30

How is utilitarianism used in everyday life?

Answer 30

We make lots of non-moral decisions every day based upon consequences. In shops we try to find the shortest line so we can get out the door quicker. We make lots of financial decisions based on cost vs benefit. So, using utilitarianism for moral decisions is just an extension of our daily decision-making procedures.

Question 31

Why does the phrase ‘end justifies the means’ pose a problem for utilitarianism?

Answer 31

If any end can justify any means then a true ethical foundation is lost. But the end does not always justify the means – if that were so, Hitler had right to justify the holocaust (the end was to purify humanity). The means must justify themselves.

Question 32

Outline the problems faced by minorities and the issue of predicting consequences in regards to utilitarianism

Answer 32

Utilitarianism cannot protect the rights of minorities, as they are not the greatest number. Americans in the 18th century can justify slavery by using utilitarianism as it provides a good consequence for most Americans. It also means that consequences are not readily predicted. We can only guess the ends, and often these educated guesses are wrong.

Question 33

What does the argument ‘provides no objective and consistent foundation’ mean, in regards to utilitarianism?

Answer 33

Utilitarianism cannot be judged objectively, only subjectively. We cant judge the results as the results are used to judge the action.

Question 34

Arguments for utilitarianism

Answer 34

Straight forward and simpleRelates to the real worldBentham – Hedonic calculus provides a clear measurementRules are usefulJohn Stuart Mill – weak rule is flexibleBentham – morally democratic

Question 35

Arguments against utilitarianism

Answer 35

Immanuel Kant – end does not always justify the meansJohn Stuart Mill – can lead to injusticeKarl Barth – Hedonic calculus can be difficult to applyW.D. Ross – no room for obligation or dutyAugustine – individualistic and selfishAquinas – Natural Laws are far clearer