UTILITARIANISM

Utilitarianism

_______ is a normative ethical theory that places the locus of right and wrong solely on the outcomes (consequences) of choosing one action/policy over other actions/policies.

Utilitarianism

As such, it moves beyond the scope of one's own interests and takes into account the interests of others

Jeremy Bentham’ Principle of Utility

Recognizes the fundamental role of pain and pleasure in human life,

Jeremy Bentham’ Principle of Utility

Approves or disapproves of action on the basis of the amount of pain or pleasure brought about i.e., consequences,

Jeremy Bentham’ Principle of Utility

Equates good with pleasure and evil with pain, and

Jeremy Bentham’ Principle of Utility

Asserts that pleasure and pain are capable of quantification (and hence 'measure').

pleasure and pain

In measuring _____, Bentham introduces the following criteria: INTENSITY, DURATION, CERTAINTY (or UNCERTAINTY), and its NEARNESS (or FARNESS).

fecundity

He also includes its "_____" (will more of the same follow?) and its "purity" (its pleasure won't be followed by pain & vice versa).

purity

He also includes its "fecundity" (will more of the same follow?) and its "_____" (its pleasure won't be followed by pain & vice versa).

John Stuart Mill

It is not the quantity of pleasure, but the quality of happiness that is central to utilitarianism,

John Stuart Mill

the calculus is unreasonable -- qualities cannot be quantified (there is a distinction between 'higher' and 'lower' pleasures), and

John Stuart Mill

utilitarianism refers to "the Greatest Happiness Principle" -- it seeks to promote the capability of achieving happiness (higher pleasures) for the most amount of people (this is its "extent").

calculus

the _____ is unreasonable -- qualities cannot be quantified (there is a distinction between 'higher' and 'lower' pleasures), and

utilitarianism

_____ refers to "the Greatest Happiness Principle" -- it seeks to promote the capability of achieving happiness (higher pleasures) for the most amount of people (this is its "extent").

act-utilitarianism

We can apply the principle of utility to either PARTICULAR ACTIONS or GENERAL RULES. The former is called "______" and the latter is called "rule-utilitarianism."

rule-utilitarianism.

We can apply the principle of utility to either PARTICULAR ACTIONS or GENERAL RULES. The former is called "act-utilitarianism" and the latter is called "________"

Act-utilitarianism

_____ -- The principle of utility is applied directly to each alternative act in a situation of choice

Act-utilitarianism

The right act is then defined as the one which brings about the best results (or the least amount of bad results).

Act-utilitarianism

Criticisms of this viewpoint to the difficulty of attaining full knowledge and certainty of the consequences of our actions. It is possible to justify immoral acts using AU: Suppose you could end a regional war by torturing children whose fathers are enemy soldiers, thus revealing the hideouts of the fathers.

Rule-utilitarianism

The principle of utility is used to determine the validity of rules of conduct (moral principles).

promise-keeping

A rule like ________ is established by looking at the consequences of a world in which people broke promises at will and a world in which promises were binding.

Rule-utilitarianism

Right and wrong are then defined as following or breaking those rules.

Rule-utilitarianism

Some criticisms of this position point out that if the Rules take into account more and more exceptions, RU collapses into AU. More general criticisms of this view argue that it is possible to generate "unjust rules" according to the principle of utility. For example, slavery in Greece might be right if it led to an overall achievement of cultivated happiness at the expense of some mistreated individuals.