Utilitarianism 06 - Rule utilitarianism

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

what is rule utilitarianism

consequences of following a rule

is it the consequences of following an individual act or following a rule which make it good

its rule worship - if breaking a rule brings about more happiness than following it there is no reason not to break it

smart’s objection to rule utilitarianism

become too complicated, who decides amendments

what would amending the rules to allow exceptions do

assumes everyone’s values align with creating the greatest happiness

why does rule utilitarianism not solve the issue of integrity

calculating - we don;t have to work out the consequences of each action in turn

what does rule utilitarianism make a lot easier than act

a rule allowing us to be partial, would create more happiness than a rule forcing us to be impartial

what sort of rule might RU create allowing for impartiality

what makes it important (Williams’ example about saving my wife)

what does RU fail to undstand about partiality

a rule prohibiting murder is different from one allowing for self-defence

example of two different rules which arguably acknowledge intentions

why might we object to rule utilitarianism specifically

morality can’t be summed up in a system of rules