Utilitarianism ppq (15)

Question 1

Is Utilitarian ethics compatible with religion- YES

Answer 1

> Buddists look to be happy
Agape- loving someone involves wanting him or her to be happy
‘love others as you love yourself’
‘ do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ is an exhortation to count others happiness equal to your own
Jesus breaks the rules of the sabbath for the greatest good
sacrificing for others is common to many religious traditions

Question 2

Is Utilitarian ethics compatible with religion- NO

Answer 2

> relegion has also tended to concentrate on some people more than others- ‘i have come to call sinners’
therefore not everyones happiness can be equally as important
Religious ethics places more stress on motives of action
ten commandments- if you committed any of those acts you would be breaking religious law
consequence not particularly important
means to an end can be seen to be lacking in compassion

Question 3

Happiness is the only worthwhile goal in life - YES

Answer 3

> If happiness is the only goal, all goals are worthwhile because they bring happiness
True happiness is spiritual happiness in the K of G, a good goal to work for
Happiness can often affect others in a positive way
it is intrinsically good- higher pleasures are noble
achieving happiness can make you do your job better
Life shouldn’t be about suffering
good for mental wellbeing

Question 4

Happiness is the only worthwhile goal in life - NO

Answer 4

> sometimes sadistic acts can cause happiness
is happiness a valid aim?
Sometimes doing things that don’t make us happy can be more useful, pain can be good for us (exercise)
What if our happiness causes others pain?
What is happiness?
Purseuing happiness does not always end well
Pain can be good for you, how can you feel happiness if you can’t eel pain
Matrial wealth can bring short term happiness

Question 5

Which is more important- the ending of pain and suffering, or the increase of pleasure? (15)- YES

Answer 5

> pain can often be more intense than pleasure (if pain is great)
if the pain is long term
Better to end all suffering so others can feel some pleasure
Quality of pleasure may be poor or lower so not worth perusing
Seeking pleasure for the wrong reasons
Ending pain is less selfish than increasing your own personal pleasure. Shouldn’t pursue a pleasure that will cause others suffering
if one is already content, why increase contentment at the expense of suffering
ending suffering shows more love and compassion
outcome would be more pleasurable

Question 6

Which is more important- the ending of pain and suffering, or the increase of pleasure? (15) -NO

Answer 6

> Need pain to appreciate pleasure
suffering of a few may lead to happiness of the majority (war)
Never going to pleasure everyone, so better please the majority
intensity of the pain
sometimes to achieve good some have suffer- war
If pain is minimal pleasure is more important
Pleasure for many is better than none at all

Question 7

‘Utilitarianism is so easy, anyone can use it as a method of moral decision-making.’ How far do you agree? (15) YES

Answer 7

> Common sense theory
Natural instinct to want to avoid pain and maximise pleasure
We all look to increase our own personal pleasures
Natural instinct to value consequence over act
Attractive tot democrats
Hedonic calculus makes it easy to use

Question 8

Utilitarianism is so easy, anyone can use it as a method of moral decision-making.’ How far do you agree? (15)- NO

Answer 8

> not possible to determine consequence
consequence may take a long time to become apparent- a dam
Things that may bring us happiness may not be necessarily ‘good’
what about the minority?

Question 9

Criticisms and benefits of Act Util- C

Answer 9

> Justify any act
Impractical to judge every tme
Extreme results- women going to the cinema
Special responsibility- dad and cancer specialist
Some pain is good, some bad- sadisitic guards
Hard to meet all seven points of calculus

Question 10

Criticisms and benefits of Act Uti- A

Answer 10

>Happiness is promoted
>Majority are happy
>Asses all areas
>Democratic
>Flexible

Question 11

Positives and negatives of Rule Utilitarianism- C

Answer 11

> Different people insider different things to be h and l pleasures
Different values in life
Too complex
Minorities- slavery

Question 12

Positives and negatives of Rule Utilitarianism- A

Answer 12

> Over come problems of Act util

>Prevents anything from being determined moral