Ethics: Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism

A consequentialist moral theory which favors acts that produces the greatest amount of happiness for

the greatest amount of people. One of the 2 biggest ethical philosophies - opposite of Deontology (Kant)

Consequentialism theories: egoism, utilitarianism

Differences: egoism considers consequences of actions in their own self-interest; utilitarianism considers consequences of action as it relates to the greatest happiness of all.

Act Utilitarianism

Considers consequences of specific individual acts.

Rule Utilitarianism

Consequences of the act performs as general practice - "What if everyone did this?"

Trolley Problem

Choose what makes the most people happy - pull the switch to kill one person, not five

Hedonism

Classical theory of pursuing happiness - close to some utilitarian theories

Epicureanism

"The good life is the pleasant life." Avoid distress and desires for things beyond one's basic needs. Bodily pleasure, mental delight and peace should be sought.

Utilitarianism precepts

• Focuses on the sum of individual pleasures/pains (what matters is the cumulative happiness of a number of people).

• Everyone counts equally

• Has to define whose interests count - some

include animals

• Goodness or badness of an action is the

function of it's consequences

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)

Developed original theory of utilitarianism;

Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, 1789 (morals should be the basis of law); democratic, progressive, empirical, optimistic; social policy should work for all;

John Stewart Mill (1806-1873)

Follower of Bentham; Utilitarianism - dispel misconception that morality has nothing to do with usefulness/utility and that morality is opposed to pleasure (ok with pleasure); supported personal liberty unless it harmed others; supported women's rights/right to vote.

Empirical philosophy

We know what is good by personal observation or experience.

Principle of Utility (Greatest Happiness Principle)

• Basic moral principle of Utilitarianism; actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.

• Does not consider the nature or practices of the act nor the motive - consider the likely or actual consequences of each alternative (story about watching neighbor's house and it burns down).

• Pleasure and happiness are the good to be produced.

Instrumental Goods

Things such as fame, fortune, education and freedom - good only to the extent that they produce happiness.

Intrinsic Goods

Happiness and pleasure - the only things good in themselves.

Quantity vs. Quality of Pleasure

Bentham & Mill agree that the more happiness the better - but Bentham consider only the quantity and Mill consider the quantity and the quality (for example, intellectual pleasures more valuable than purely sensual pleasures); esthetic pleasures count.

Criticisms of Utilitarianism

• Application of principles is too complex

• Inductive like science, but can't

consider/don't know all the variables

• Cannot privilege our own happiness or the

happiness of those we love over others - treating everyone equally lacks common sense - affront to our own personal integrity

• Ends justify the means - so is it ok to kill someone for the sake of the good of a greater number (like population control) - leads to conclusions that are contrary to commonsense morality.

John Stewart Mill Quote on Quality of Happiness

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Inductive Reasoning

Scientific, observe/test then propose a theory - can be disproved if new information found; never stated as positive fact.

Deductive Reasoning

make a statement then set out to prove it.