Hedonistic Utilitarianism: Bentham

what is hedonism?

the belief that bringing out pleasure and avoiding pain are the ultimate ends of human action and should form the basis for ethical decision making

What is psychological hedonism?

The belief that all decisions and actions are based on our natural instinct to avoid pain and seek pleasure

What is hedonistic utilitarianism according to Bentham?

The theory that a right action is one which increases the general happiness not just individual happiness

What is the principle of utility?

The way in which we must decide if an action is morally good or bad by looking at whether it leads to the greatest happiness for the greatest number

Why did Bentham create the utility calculus?

He originally made it for lawmakers and the government to use when making decisions for the good of the country, not for personal use.

what type of utilitarianism is bethams?

it is a form of act utilitarianism, meaning that it applies the utility principle to each action.

what is the quantitative hedonistic approach?

The idea of measuring pleasure and pain to add them up on a scale to determine their morality.

What are the 7 steps of the utility calculus?

Intensity

Duration

Certainty

Propinquity

Fecundity

Purity

Extent

Intensity

mild pleasure is less valuable than intense pleasure

duration

transient pleasure is less valuable than lasting pleasure

Certainty

Probability of the pleasure resulting from the act - more certain pleasures should be prioritized over less certain pleasures

Propinquity or remoteness

the more distant the benefits in space or time the less we should consider it in our decision making

Fecundity

If a pleasure caused by an act is likely to be followed by more pleasure, it is worth more than an act that gives pleasure in the first instance, but pain afterward

Purity

an act that causes only pleasure is better than one that causes the same pleasure mixed with a bit of pain

Extent

the more people the pleasure reaches the better

What is the main issue with Bentham's utility calculus?

He doesn't give a way to quantify and calculate properly