Rule utilitarianism

what is rule utilitarianism

it states that an action is right when it complies with those rules which, if everyone followed them, would lead to the greatest happiness

so what does rule uti really look at

the consequences of everyone following rules

according to rule uti, when is an action right?

that which when they follow a rule, it maximises happiness overall

what are the 4 big objections to Act Uti:

1. problems with calculation: too complicated

2. problems with fairness, liberty and rights: tyranny of the majority

3. problems with partiality: too idealistic and demanding

4. problems with moral integrity and intentions: ignores their moral worth

problem 1 by Smart, with rule uti

Smart states that rule utilitarianism focuses on ‘rule worship’. This is because there can be occasions where breaking a rule could lead to greater happiness than following it e.g. a white lie to a friend when they ask whether they look good .

what is rule utilitarianism’s reply to smart’s 1st objection:

we could amend the rule to make exceptions e.g. ‘don’t lie unless telling the truth will hurt someone’

what is smart’s reply to rule uti’s reply:

This will lead to more amendments because life is complicated and there are many situations where rules clash with happiness. This will mean that there would be no difference between Rule Uti to Act uti as overall the aim is to maximise happiness.

how does Rule uti respond to the objection that rule uti collapses into act uti (2 responses)

1. rule uti can provide a reason to follow rules even when they dont maximise happiness: morality should be a set of rules providing guidance in the long term

2. rule uti avoids the objections to act utilitarianism with these rules

give examples on how rule uti deals with the problems that act uti faces (the 4 big problems)

1. problem of calculation: we dont have calculate the consequences of each act in turn we can just create the rules once.

2. problem of fairness, liberty and rights: unjust acts can be ruled out e.g. establishing a rule that forbids torture of children will lead to greater happiness if everyone followed it rather than a rule allowing the torture

3. problems of impartiality: we can estbalish a rule that allows partiality to our family and friends which will create happiness than a rule that requires us to be impartial all the time.

4. problems of moral integrity and intent: establishing a rule that allows us to act with integrity even when it conflicts with an act that maximises happiness, and rules can consider intentions in actions where certain intentions can be punished e.g. a rule that punishes intentional murder but allow cases of self-defence, and this maximises happiness

what is the strong objection 1 to rule uti (not smart’s one) about partiality

This objection states that Rule Utilitarianism fails to understand what is important about partiality. Allowing partiality through a rule doesnt lead to the greatest happiness because of the rule but because there is moral importance about valuing an individual in itself

what is the objection 2 about integrity

This objection states that a rule that protects integrity could be very problematic for utilitarianism. This is because someone’s values may contradict the rules established that maximise general happiness in some cases.

what is the objection 3 about happiness not being the only good

This objection states that happiness may not be the only good, there are other values e.g., telling the truth. These things matter independently of the pleasure it may bring.

what is the objection 4 about morality and rules

This is an objection that states morality cannot be simply summed up by rules. This is because we need ethical theories that can let us act in the right way when rules dont really apply.