Philosophy Exam #1

Consequentialism

(Also known as utilitarinism) Consequences are what matter in ethics. An action’s moral value is determined by its consequences. If the (intended) consequences are good, then the action is morally good.

Deontology (Or deontological view)

(Also known as Kantianism) (Duty-based) Duties or responsibilities are what matter in ethics. An action’s moral value is determined by the principle behind it. If the action fulfills one’s duties or responsibilities, then the action is morally good.

Utilitarianiasm

• “The Problem of Moral Diversity”

• Happiness is universal

• “Happiness=good & suffering=bad” is hardwired into us

The Principle of Utility (POU)

“An action is morally good if and only if it maximizes happiness and/or minimizes suffering.”

Consider:

• The scope of people affected (short term and long term)

• The amount of happiness and suffering each will experience

• The likelihood of these possibilities

Bentham’s Version

• “The Felicific Calculus”

• Hedon (Util): One unit of happiness

• Delor: One unit of suffering

• Scale of 1-100 & -1–100

How to use the POU

• Step 1: Identify possible solutions

• Step 2: For each, write a list of ALL people affected, both short term and long term

• Step 3: For each, estimate the amount of happiness and suffering they will experience (hedons)

• Step 4: Assess the likelihood of these outcomes. Eliminate any that are highly unlikely or highly speculative

• Step 5: Identify the solution that creates the greatest amount of happiness and/or least amount of suffering (And explain your reasoning)

John Stuart Mill

• Bentham was his mentor

• Had a breakdown and came out with a different idea of utilitarianism

• “On Utilitarianism”

• Acknowledges the worries people will have

Quantity of Happiness

• Bentham’s conception

• How much… did they experience?

• Intensity+Duration (ex. paper cut hurts so bad but not for long)

• Subjective (In the eye of the beholder) (ex. cheesecake example)

Quality of Happiness

• Mill’s version of Utilitarianismm

• “How meaningful was a given experience of…to you?”

• Infinite

• Quality>Quantity (Quality can have a # attached to it, but quality can’t)

• Objective (ex. killing family is infinite level of suffering)

Examples of Quality

• Family

• Heirlooms (Physcial things that can be an embodiment of family

• Basic Needs

• Career/Calling

• Health

• Memories

• Education

• Religion/Spirituality

• Platonic/Romantic Relationships

• Sense of self/Integrity (The way that someone lives in their day to day life)

Bentham and the POU

Basic Necessities→ Maximum Personal Freedom+Popular Vote

(He is leaving the freedom to figure out what makes you happy and maximize it up to you)

Mill and the POU

Basic Necessities→ Basic Goods/Rights (Quality)→ Personal Freedom (Quantity)

(The maximize happiness, prioritize the things we wrote on the “Exanples of Quality” list)

Act Utilitarians

Act Utilitarians think you should directly apply the POU to each ethical dilemma (the 5 steps)

Rule Utilitarians

Rule Utilitarians think you use the POU to create happiness-maximizing rules (subordinate principles). You should solve ethical dilemmas by applying these rules