consequentialism

consequentialism

the consequences of an act is what makes it ethical or not

hedonism

maximizes net pleasure (focuses on the individual)

utilitarianism

acknowledges the most happiness for the most people

jeremy bentham

Happiness - absence of pain

circumstances of pleasure

• intensity (how strong is the pleasure)

• duration

• certainty (how likely will the pleasure occur)

• propinquity (how soon will it occur)

• fecundity (will the act bring following pleasures?)

• purity (is it probable that the act won’t bring pain?)

• extent (how many people will be affected?)

felicific calculus = pleasure - pain = balance

john stuart mill

• actions are right in proportion as they promote happiness

• wrong if it produces the reverse of happiness

• happiness is the only basis of morality, and the ultimate desire of humankind

• happiness is pleasure and absence of pain

rule utilitarianism/consequentialism

• rules are ethical if it contributes to overall well-being and prevention of danger

• ex: ignoring traffic rules can lead to severe consequences

act utilitarianism

• goodness or badness of an action is based on the utility or benefit to the most people

• considerations

  • mitigating negative consequences

  • balancing benefits and harm

  • public interest vs individual rights