Utilitarianism - Evaluations

Question 1

8 strengths of Act Utilitarianism.

Answer 1

1. Appeals to human nature - it is intuitive that we naturally consider actions that are good
2. Gives clear moral guidelines
3. Actions do have effects so we should consider consequences
4. It is not absolute - can take circumstances into account
5. It is fair, no one is a priority - challenges elitism and aristocracy where the majority are disregarded by the few privileged.
6. It is secular (non-religious)
7. Has some common grounds with Christian Ethics - seeking to do good, Jesus acted with utility when he died to redeem all of humanity (our pleasure>His pain)
8. Allows for different societies and cultures to use it in their own way as it isn’t absolute

Question 2

5 weaknesses of Act Utilitarianism.

Answer 2

1. Hedonic calculus - impractical, doesn’t consider qualities of pain and pleasure, how can you measure pleasure?
2. Consequences - some consequences are unforseen or are predicted but don’t actually happen
3. Could makes some arguably wrong actions (e.g. lying, adultery or murder) morally acceptable
4. Individual rights can be overlooked (e.g. imprisoning someone innocent may bring peace of mind and pleasure to a community)
5. Don’t allow for personal responsibilities (e.g. saving your dad over a doctor who can cure cancer)

Question 3

3 strengths of Rule Utilitarianism.

Answer 3

1. Avoids use of hedonic calculus, just simply apply rule! Rules can be selected applied and replaced on the basis of their utility so principle of utility still remains the ultimate standard.
2. Respects people’s liberties and rights…people can pursue their own interests in society without harming others (harm principle) and so long as they stick to rules.
3. Avoids justifying immoral actions as it includes blanket rules and argues for quality not quantity. Therefore pleasure from paedophilia or abuse etc can never be justified in rule utilitarianism.

Question 4

4 weaknesses of Rule Utilitarianism.

Answer 4

1. Higher and lower pleasures are hard to define and separate.
2. Mills argues for competent judges as people who are experienced in both pleasures and can justify that some pleasures are higher…this makes his theory elitist as people who are poor may not have access to Mill’s higher pleasures.
3. Contradiction between consequentialist element of utilitarianism and rule following. Do we abide by rules even if in a situation the consequences will not produce pleasure? Following rules is a matter of duty and intention then, not consequences!
4. If in weak rule utilitarianism you can break some rules and make exceptions, is it even a rule at all?

Question 5

How does the experience machine reject utilitarianism?

Answer 5

As it is hedonistic, utilitarianism is based on pleasure as the criterion of moral goodness and therefore, should such a machine be available as Nozick’s imaginary experience machine, utilitarians would argue for it as it will promote pleasure and happiness.
However, Nozick advises against it as he recognises that there are other values that matter to our wellbeing as well as pleasure and happiness. Religious believers would even say self-sacrifice, suffering and unhappiness can sometimes have greater moral value as they allow you to grow and become closer to God.