Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that evaluates the moral worth of actions based on their outcomes, aiming for the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

Jeremy Bentham

A philosopher known for founding utilitarianism and advocating for Act Utilitarianism, which focuses on immediate consequences of actions.

John Stuart Mill

A philosopher who refined utilitarianism into Rule Utilitarianism, emphasizing rules that promote overall happiness.

Act Utilitarianism

Bentham's approach that assesses individual actions based on their immediate consequences.

Rule Utilitarianism

Mill's approach that emphasizes following rules that generally lead to the greatest good.

Bentham’s Principle of Utility

The idea that the best action maximizes utility, defined as pleasure and the absence of pain.

Bentham's Hedonic Calculus

A method for measuring pleasure and pain based on factors such as intensity, duration, purity, certainty, remoteness, richness, and extent.

Intensity

The strength of the pleasure or pain experienced.

Duration

The length of time that the pleasure lasts.

Purity

The likelihood that the pleasure will be followed by pain.

Certainty

The likelihood that the pleasure will be realized.

Remoteness

The proximity of the pleasure or pain in time.

Richness

The potential for the pleasure or pain to lead to further similar experiences.

Extent

The number of people affected by the experience.

Difference between duration and remoteness

Duration refers to how long the pleasure lasts; remoteness refers to when the pleasure will occur.

Difference between purity and richness

Purity concerns how free from pain the pleasure is; richness relates to the potential for generating additional pleasures.

Critiques of utilitarianism

Arguments against utilitarianism, including the organ donor problem and the utility monster.

John Stuart Mill's Critique

Criticized utilitarianism's focus on base pleasures, referring to it as the 'Swine Ethic,' advocating for higher intellectual pleasures.

Higher Happiness vs Lower Pleasure

Mill distinguishes between higher pleasures (intellectual, moral) and lower pleasures (sensory), advocating for higher pleasures.

Higher pleasures

Intellectually engaging, emotionally enriching, and morally elevating experiences.

Lower pleasures

Temporary, easy to access, and physical experiences.

Utility Monster

A hypothetical being that produces significantly more utility than others, posing a challenge to utilitarian ethics.

Organ donor problem

An ethical dilemma regarding the morality of sacrificing one for the benefit of many.

'Swine Ethic'

Mill's term for the criticism of utilitarianism's perceived focus on base pleasures over higher pleasures.

Intellectually Engaging

A characteristic of higher pleasures that involves mental stimulation.

Emotionally Enriching

A characteristic of higher pleasures that contributes to emotional growth.

Morally Elevating

A characteristic of higher pleasures that involves moral development.

Temporary

A characteristic of lower pleasures that indicates a fleeting nature.

Easy to Access

A characteristic of lower pleasures that makes them readily available.

Physical in Nature

A characteristic of lower pleasures that relates to the senses.

Philosophical Debate

The discourse surrounding the validity and applicability of utilitarian principles in ethical decision-making.

Greater Good

The principle that actions should aim to benefit the majority.

Moral Worth

The value assigned to an action based on its contribution to overall happiness.