Utilitarianism

Define utility

How much happieness an action causes , minus how much suffering it causes . For utilitarian’s utility is the only intrinsically good thing in the world . The greatest happiness for the greatest number .

Define utilitarianism

Consequentialist ethical theory that claims or actions should be guided by what maximises pleasure and minimises pain . For example if you had a choice between eating an apple or chocolate bar utilitarianism would say eat the chocolate bar if it would make you more happy than eating an apple

What is Jeremy Benthams’s’s quantitive hedonistic utilitarianism

Utility calculus , calculates how much happiness an action will produce . This is assessed by intensity , duration , certainty , nearness , fecundity , purity and extent . How many people will be affected must also be taken into account Egalitarian theory everyone’s happiness’ equal . Its also a consequentialist theory

Define consequentialism

The view that what makes an action right or wrong is whether it has good or bad consequences

Define hedonistic utilitarianism

What makes an action right or wrong is whether it increases or decreases overall pleasure or pain in the world

Define quantative hedonistic utilitarianism

Egalitarian believes all pleasure equally valuable and we should maximise pleasure and minimiseDefine pain . Higher and lower pleasures are not important . Philosophers such as Bentham believe in this

Define qualitative hedonistic utilitarianism

Higher pleasure such are more important than lower pleasures even if the same amount of pleasure is created

For example reading a book is a higher pleasure than eating food

Define non-hedonistic utilitarianism

Rejects the idea that hapieness is the same as pleasure / abscence of pain

Outline the criticism is the only good