[3 MARKERS] Philosophy - Utilitarianism

Define utilitarianism (in general) [3]

The morally right action is the action that maximises overall utility, as opposed to equalising utility across individuals.

-the ultimate aim of our action is pleasure (which can be equated to happiness)

-followed by classic utilitarians (eg. Jeremy Bentham & John Stuart Mill)

-main characteristics: consequentialist, welfarism, impartial, maximisation

Define consequentialism [3]

Moral rightness of an action depend on its real world results, or consequences, not something intrinsic to the action itself

-heavy emphasis on future over past (because we cannot control the past)

-(eg. telling a lie would be bad if produced bad consequences (which lies usually do) - it would not be wrong just because it is a lie)

Define consciousness / welfarism [3]

Moral rightness of an action depend on their effects on conscious or sentient beings who care about how they feel or what happens

-existence of consciousness is a necessary condition for things to have value, but not a sufficient one

-(eg. unseen but beautiful sunsets have no value at all - things only matter because of their place in lives of conscious beings)

Define impartiality/equality [3]

Moral rightness of an action can be evaluated based where all conscious beings (their interests) are included equally when considering effects of an action

-everyone is to count for one and no one for more than one

-(eg. a teacher provides the same learning materials to each student, equally)

Define maximisation [3]

The morally right action is that action that maximises overall utility

-utility is the welfare of individual people, and one person's utility is as important as another's

Define 'Hedonism' [3]

An act is morally right IFF (we can reasonably expect / predict that) doing it produces at least as much pleasure or happiness as any other act that could be performed

-experience pleasure and absence of pain (for sentient beings)

What is the difference between hedonistic and preference utilitarianism? [3]

Define 'Non-Hedonism' [3]

An act is morally right IFF (we can reasonably expect / predict that) doing it maximises utility (good effects, not referring to 'sensations of pleasure')

-experience pleasure and absence of pain (for sentient beings)