Utilitariansm, Kant & Situation Ethics 30

Question 1

What did Bentham say mattered most for humans?

Answer 1

• living a good life

- avoiding pain and maximising pleasure

Question 2

Describe the principle of utility

Answer 2

• our moral behaviour causes the greatest good for greatest number of people
• looks at this in a communal sense as a community is the sum of the individuals

Question 3

How is Utilitarianism teleological?

Answer 3

• decision are made relative to the end and how the situation balances with good and evil

Question 4

What is the hedonic calculas?

Answer 4

• the system for counting how much pleasure / pain is caused from a moral act

Question 5

What are the 7 parts of the hedonic calculas

Answer 5

• intensity, duration, certainty, remoteness, fecundity (chance of being followed by sensation of the same kind) , it purity (chance it has of not being followed by sensation of the opposite kind) , extent to population it applies to

Question 6

Describe Jeremy Bentham’s Act Utilitarianism

Answer 6

• we should take each act independently, not establish rule
• some rule of thumb is justified to save time calculation
• end justifies the means

Question 7

How does John Stuart Mill adapt Bentham’s approach?

Answer 7

• human happiness rationally distinguished between baser pleaser and higher ones
• Problems with justice, eg hedonic calculas some will suffer, Mill wanted to differentiate pleasures

Question 8

Describe Peter Singer’s Preference Utilitarianism

Answer 8

• best interests of people
• all miniatures taken into account
• instead of maximising pleasure, it should be minimising pain

Question 9

How does Rawls (1921-2002) criticise Bentham

Answer 9

• generic root when looking at the effect of an act

- the consequences will be subjective between each individual person, not just looking at society as a whole

Question 10

How does Bernard Willians (present) criticise Utilitarianism

Answer 10

• “doctrine of negative responsibility”
• is a Robber says “if u kill 2 out of the 5 members of your family I have hostage, I will let the other 3 go”
• Utilitarianism states that you should kill for greatest food

Question 11

What should our motive be according to Kant

Answer 11

• moral action should be our good will (not out of any emotion)

Question 12

Where does the good will come from + problem

Answer 12

• innate in us

- he does use metaphysics, where metaphysics May be the only way to have innate knowledge of “the good will”

Question 13

What type of theory is Kantian Ethics?

Answer 13

• deontological
• about the action within itself
• duty for duties sake

Question 14

What is the categorical imperative?

Answer 14

• an unconditional moral obligation that is binding irrespective of ones purpose

Question 15

What are the 3 parts of the categorical imperative?

Answer 15

• universal law (applies to everybody)
• Humans (as a means not end (action within itself
• Kingdom of Ends (everyone equal value)

Question 16

What should moral behaviour achieve, according to Kant?

Answer 16

• summon bonus (the supreme good

Question 17

What is Kant’s belief of an afterlife?

Answer 17

• There is an afterlife where God provides an opportunity to reach this state of supreme food

Question 18

What are the 3 postulates?

Answer 18

• Freedom
• Immortality
• God
  (FIG)

Question 19

What are Hegel (18th century) 2 criticism of Kant?

Answer 19

• does not provide anyone on what specifically to do (only focus’ on non-contradiction)
• forces humans into internal conflict between reason and desire

Question 20

How does Mill (19th Century) criticise Kant?

Answer 20

• Kantian ethics can’t explain why actions are wrong

- you have to look at the Utilitarianism’s principle of utility instead of reason

Question 21

What is key about Joseph Fletcher’s society

Answer 21

• permissive society

- allowing/ accepting things eg, abortion, homosexuality

Question 22

What type of theory is Situation Ethics

Answer 22

• Teleological, Christian Liberal Theory

Question 23

What are Fletcher’s four working principles

Answer 23

• pragmatism
• relativism
• positivism
• personalism

Question 24

What is Situation Ethics Rooted in?

Answer 24

• New Testament

- Jesus’ teachings eg, “love thy neighbour”

Question 25

What is agape Love?

Answer 25

• oppose Kant’s summon bonus
• unconditional love
• self sacrificing, not self satisfying

Question 26

What are Fletcher’s six fundamental principles?

Answer 26

• one thing intrinsically good: love
• Ruling normal: love
• love and justice =
• love wills neighbours good
• end justifies the means
• love decision made situationally

Question 27

How does Fletcher’s approach fit with Utilitarianism

Answer 27

• idea of ‘good’ and ‘love’ is very similar

- both instances, ends justifies the means

Question 28

List of advantages of situation ethics

Answer 28

• respect for individuals, promoting well being
• rule base ethics is normally unrealistic, but ideals are kept in mind
• face situation with confidence

Question 29

What is John Robinson’s (20th century) argument against Situation Ethics

Answer 29

• people given this responsibility leads to moral chaos

Question 30

List of disadvantages of Situation Ethics

Answer 30

• less practicle then Utilitarianism (more principles)
• restricted to just love
• humans are flawed, can’t rely on us to know what to do
• immediate effect, not on a larger scale
• he says rules can be broken, very contrary