Utilitarianism - AO1

Question 1

Define Act Utilitarianism

Answer 1

Perform the act which will lead to the greatest balance of good over evil

Question 2

Define Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 2

Always follow that rule that adherence to which will lead to the greatest balance of good over evil

Question 3

What is the general principle Mill argues to follow?

Answer 3

The general Principle of Liberty

Question 4

What is Mills famous example of Opium?

Answer 4

“The prohibition of importation of opium into China… not as infringements on the liberty of the producer or seller but on that of the buyer”

Question 5

What is the principle of Utility

Answer 5

A single principle used to solve moral dilemmas - greatest balance of good over evil

Question 6

What did Bentham say about the Principle of Utility

Answer 6

“Create all happiness you are able to create: remove all misery you are able to remove”

Question 7

What is hedonism?

Answer 7

The philosophical view that the good is pleasure, and nothing else is good.

Question 8

What is the Hedonic Calculus?

Answer 8

Seven criteria for determining which act should be performed

Question 9

What is the 7 criteria for the Hedonic Calculus?

Answer 9

1) Intensity - How strong is the pleasure
2) Duration - How long is the pleasure
3) Certainty - How likely that pleasure happens
4) Propinquity - How soon will pleasure happen
5) Fecundity - How probable is pleasure
6) Purity - How unlikely to lead to pain
7) Extent - How many people

Question 10

Why does Bentham reject Natural Rights? (Quote)

Answer 10

To say individual right is more important than the Principle of utility would deny Utilitarianism. “Simple nonsense… rhetorical nonsense - nonsense upon stilts”

Question 11

Why does Mill reject Natural Rights? (Quote)

Answer 11

“The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised… is to prevent harm to others” - It would infringe on human freedom, but he does not apply to children or “backwards nations”.

Question 12

What are two problems with the phrase “The greatest good for the greatest number”

Answer 12

• Entails a premise of justice, two principles, to do good and to distribute it, this goes against the single principle of utility
• Split £100 pound between 10, 100 or 1000 people? Do friends have privilege in this situation?

Question 13

Define Preference Utilitarianism

Answer 13

We should look to seek as the good that we would rationally prefer as an outcome even though it may not be in our best interest

Question 14

Who makes the distinction between manifest and true preferences?

Answer 14

John C. Harsanyi

Question 15

What is a Manifest Preference?

Answer 15

What you prefer, based on immediate needs and desires

Question 16

What is a True Preference?

Answer 16

What you prefer, based on all information known and consequences

Question 17

Singer views Utilitarianism in a very rational way (Quote)

Answer 17

“I am no more outraged by the slaughter of dogs for meat than I am by the slaughter of pigs for this purpose”

Question 18

What is the theory Singer closely attaches to preference utilitarianism and why?

Answer 18

Altruism - Although you may not be satisfied by the giving to others you would still prefer a more altruistic world.

Question 19

How does Singer attack Speciesism with Preference Utilitarianism

Answer 19

No privilege for humans, animals have the capacity to suffer, an amoeba may not have the same capacity to suffer as a human however and therefore may be disregarded.

Question 20

What is Universal Quality and how does it link to Preference Utilitarianism? (Quote)

Answer 20

Weighing everyones preferences as much as yours, “Ethical judgements must be made from a universal point of view”

Question 21

What is Replaceability in Preference Utilitarianism?

Answer 21

If a mother loses a child, in principle it can be replaced, therefore it would be wiser to kill a haemophiliac child after birth as it would be half the damage.

Question 22

Higher vs Lower Pleasures for Mill?

Answer 22

• Higher pleasures are of greater quality than lower pleasures. That is why they are worth more.
• We can determine whether a pleasure is of greater quality than another based on which is preferred over the other.
• Higher pleasures are long term, lower pleasures are fleeting and harmful, e.g drugs
• ‘Competent judges’ are people with experience of both higher and lower pleasures.
• Mill claims they always prefer higher pleasures to lower pleasures, thus demonstrating their greater quality.