Utilitarianism Official Definitions

Question 1

Hedonism

Answer 1

The theory that the only thing that is intrinsically good is pleasure, and the only thing that is intrinsically bad is pain. Any other “good” is only instrumentally good.

Question 2

Psychological Hedonism

Answer 2

The view that all human action is ultimately governed by seeking pleasure and avoiding pain.

Question 3

Moral Hedonism

Answer 3

The right action is that which mazimises pleasure and minimises pain. This goes beyond saying humans seek pleasure and says they ought to seek pleasure.

Question 4

Hedonistic Utilitarianism

Answer 4

What is right, and what we ought to do, is that which promotes pleasure for the greatest number of people.

Question 5

Hedonistic Egoism

Answer 5

Maximising pleasure exclusively for yourself, without any care for others.

Question 6

Utilitarianism

Answer 6

Derives from the Latin word “utilis” meaning useful. It is a normative system with consequential morality. Good is whatever produces beneficial consequences. Utilitarianism is instrumental (the results justify the means). It follows the principle of utility.

Question 7

The Principle of Utility

Answer 7

The good is that which will bring about the greatest sum of pleasure or the least sum of pain, for the greatest number.
“That principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever, according to the tendency it appears to have to augment or diminish the opportunities of the party whose interest is in question.”