Y13 ethics

Good action

Minimise pain, maximise happiness

Bad action

Maximise pain, minimise happiness

Utilitarianism

Greatest happiness for greatest number, ethical naturalist theory

Bentham's utilitarianism principles

Motivation of humans, principal of utility, hedonic calculus

Why Bentham made utilitarianism

Disillusioned by British legal system

Bentham happiness

Max pleasure, min pain

Motivation of humans

Pleasure and pain, hedonistic utilitarianism

Nature has placed mankind under the governance

of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure - Bentham

Principle of Utility Bentham

Rightness / wrongness of action depends on usefulness, democratic, clear measurement of possible outcomes

Hedonic calculus Bentham

Intensity, duration, certainty, remoteness, fecundity, purity, extent

Mill's utilitarianism

Focused on quality of pleasure, devised system of higher and lower pleasures

Higher and lower pleasures definition Mill

Higher is intellect, lower is body

It is better to be a human

dissatisfied that a pig satisfied - Mill

Morality of action Mill

Depends on results not motive, motive reflects worth of person

Rule utilitarianism

Action is right if conforming to rule that leads to greatest good

Act utilitarianism

Act is morally right if produces best results in specific situation

Singer's preference utilitarianism

In the best interest of those effected rather than concerning everyone

Preference utilitarianism pros

More flexibility, considers important people, accomodates diverse moral judgement and cultural differences

Preference utilitarianism cons

Some preferences are bad, can't address concerns with justice or state affairs

Act utilitarianism cons

Requires foresight, does not consider quality of happiness, undermines trust among people

Act utilitarianism pros

Hedonic calculus is objective and easy to follow, promotes equality

Rule utilitarianism pros

Practical, considers quality of happiness, no calculus needed

Rule utilitarianism cons

Rules can be wrong, lower pleasures are important

Divine command theory

Action is morally good if commanded by God

Divine command theory provides ‘inward

spiritual righteousness’ - John Calvin

Give what you command, and

then command whatever you may will - St Augustine

Euthyphro dilemma Socrates

Is what is pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved?

Independence problem DCT

There is a source of good independent from God, undermining God's importance

Abhorrent commands problem DCT

God could command a bad action and we would follow it because God says so

Emptiness problem DCT

Statements like “God is good” are tautological

Arbitrariness problem DCT

Morality is based on God's whims