Utilitarianism Key Terms Flashcards
Consequentialism
Moral decisions should be based entirely on the consequences produced by actions
Deontological
Actions are right/wrong in themselves regardless of the consequences
Hedonic calculus
The way an act utilitarian attempts to measure pleasure and determine the morality of an action e.g. Extent, intensity, purity
Quality
Mills utilitarianism - the quality of the happiness an act produces is more important than the quantity
Quantity
Bentham’s utilitarianism - concerned with the quantity of happiness produced by an action, greatest happiness principle
Relativism
There are no universal moral norms, but an action should be judged on the circumstances (one of Fletcher’s 4 principles)
Rule utilitarianism
J.S.Mill - by using the greatest happiness principles. Weak rules can be derived
Secular
Not having any connection with religion
Teleological
A theory with a goal/aim for the final outcome
Principle of utility
An action must be useful in that it either reduces pain, increases happiness, or both
Define Act utilitarianism.
A form of utilitarianism associated with Bentham whereby an act is deemed right or wrong based on the consequences it produces
Sidgewick’s criticism of Mill
“It’s difficult to distinguish between higher and lower pleasures”
Karl popper (negative utilitarian)
“Human suffering makes a direct moral appeal for help, while there is no similar call to increase the happiness of a man who is doing well anyway”
John Rawls criticism of Bentham,
“You judge a fair society on the way it looks after it’s majority, not its minority”
Define altruistic
Unselfish
