Religious experiences

What moral dilemma does the transplant analogy present?

Whether it's morally right to sacrifice one life to save five, if doing so maximizes overall happiness.

What is Bernard Williams' transplant analogy?

It is a thought experiment where a doctor can kill one healthy person to save five patients needing organ transplants, used to critique utilitarianism.

What is the utilitarian response to the transplant case?

A utilitarian might say it's morally right to kill one person to save five, as it leads to the greatest good for the greatest number.

What does Bernard Williams argue the transplant analogy shows about utilitarianism?

That utilitarianism can lead to morally counterintuitive or repugnant conclusions by ignoring individual rights and integrity.

How does the transplant analogy challenge consequentialist ethics?

It highlights that focusing solely on outcomes can justify immoral acts like murder if they produce better consequences.

Why do some sociologists believe Act Utilitarianism suits post-modern society?

Because post-modern society has moved away from absolute rules like those in the Bible, and Act Utilitarianism offers flexibility without fixed moral laws.

What is a criticism of Act Utilitarianism in relation to modern moral decline?

Critics argue society needs strong, clear rules (like Natural Law) to maintain moral order, which Act Utilitarianism lacks.

Why is Act Utilitarianism considered a compassionate ethical theory?

It judges each situation individually, allowing for personal circumstances rather than relying on rigid rules.

What is a major practical difficulty with Act Utilitarianism?

It relies on predicting consequences, which is often uncertain and difficult, especially in complex moral situations.

How does Act Utilitarianism relate to cultural relativism?

It respects different cultural values by allowing societies to set their own moral rules based on what brings them happiness.

What is a common moral objection to Act Utilitarianism?

It could justify morally unacceptable actions (e.g. FGM or murder) if they bring happiness to enough people, ignoring the idea that some acts are intrinsically wrong.

How does Philippa Foot’s Trolley Problem challenge Act Utilitarianism?

Foot's thought experiment suggests that saving five over one maximizes happiness, supporting Act Utilitarianism. However, it also shows a flaw—if the one person had the cure for cancer, saving them could’ve saved millions, revealing the limits of predicting consequences.

What is the Sadistic Guard analogy?

It’s a thought experiment where a prison guard gains great pleasure from torturing a prisoner, and the other guards enjoy watching. If their happiness outweighs the prisoner’s suffering, Act Utilitarianism might justify the torture.

What does the Sadistic Guard analogy critique about Act Utilitarianism?

It criticizes how Act Utilitarianism can justify immoral acts—like torture—if they produce more overall happiness, ignoring justice and individual rights.

What moral issue does the Sadistic Guard analogy highlight?

That utilitarianism can allow the suffering of a minority (the prisoner) if it benefits the majority (the guards), which seems unjust.

How does the Sadistic Guard analogy relate to human rights?

It shows that without moral limits, Act Utilitarianism may permit violations of basic rights if it increases net happiness.

At what age did John Stuart Mill begin learning Greek?

He began learning Greek at the age of three.

What personal crisis did John Stuart Mill experience in his early twenties?

He contemplated suicide, feeling emotionally numb despite his intense education and utilitarian ideals.

What feminist philosophical work did Mill write?

The Subjection of Women, advocating for gender equality and women's rights.

What political role did John Stuart Mill take on later in life?

He became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Liberal Party in 1865.

What famous philosopher was Mill the godfather of?

Bertrand Russell, a major 20th-century philosopher and logician.