Bentham's act utilitarianism

Act utilitarianism [3]

• only happiness is good

• the right act is one that maximises happiness

• hedonistic AU pursues pleasure in balance over pain

Principle of utility [3]

• approves or disapproves of every action

• based on its tendency to augment or diminish

• the happiness of the party of interest

interest

promotes the interest if tendency to increase happiness > tendency to decrease happiness

What does the PoU allow us to work out?

the proper end of human conduct

4 aspects of PoU

• ought to be done

• ought not to not be done

• a right action

• not a wrong action