Utilitarianism - Ethics Flashcards
Who founded Act Utilitarianism?
Jeremy Bentham.
What did Bentham mean by ‘two sovereign masters’?
Human beings are governed by pleasure and pain.
What is the principle of utility?
An action is good if it leads to the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
Why is Utilitarianism called a consequentialist theory?
Because it judges actions based on their outcomes.
What tool did Bentham create to measure pleasure?
The Hedonic/Felicific Calculus.
Name one criterion from Bentham’s Hedonic Calculus.
Intensity of the pleasure.
What is a criticism of Bentham’s view on pleasures?
All pleasures are treated equally, including base ones.
How did Mill respond to the ‘doctrine of swine’ criticism?
By distinguishing between higher and lower pleasures.
What are higher pleasures according to Mill?
Pleasures of the mind like art, reading, and philosophy.
What are lower pleasures according to Mill?
Bodily pleasures like food and sex.
What is a ‘competent judge’ in Mill’s theory?
Someone who has experienced both higher and lower pleasures.
What did Mill mean by ‘better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied’?
Higher pleasures are more valuable even if they bring less comfort.
Why might people not pursue higher pleasures?
Due to addiction, weakness of will, or social/environmental limitations.
What is Rule Utilitarianism?
An action is good if it follows a rule that generally maximizes happiness.
What is strong Rule Utilitarianism?
Following rules regardless of the situation.
What is weak Rule Utilitarianism?
Rules can be broken if greater happiness results.
What is a criticism of strong Rule Utilitarianism?
It becomes like deontological ethics, abandoning consequentialism.
What is a criticism of weak Rule Utilitarianism?
It collapses into Act Utilitarianism.
How did Mill attempt to solve the calculation problem?
Through secondary principles based on accumulated experience.
What is Mill’s harm principle?
People should be free unless they harm others.
How do secondary principles help avoid constant calculation?
They offer general moral guidance derived from experience.
What happens when secondary principles conflict?
We revert to the first principle of utility.
Why is Mill’s Rule Utilitarianism considered a synthesis?
It combines rule-based thinking with flexibility in specific cases.
What is a problem with Utilitarianism regarding calculation?
It assumes we can predict the future and quantify subjective feelings.
