Module 6 - Consequentialism and Utilitarianism

Consequentialism

The morality of an action is judged based on its outcomes. Good consequences equate to a good act; bad consequences, a bad act.

Greatest Happiness Principle (GHP)

The morally right action is the one that produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

Quantitative Utilitarianism (Bentham)

• Focus: Maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain through a quantitative analysis.

• Felicific Calculus: A method for measuring the overall happiness produced by an action, considering factors like intensity, duration, certainty, remoteness, fecundity, purity, and extent of pleasure.

Qualitative Utilitarianism (Mill)

• Focus: Distinguishes between higher (intellectual) and lower (physical) pleasures, arguing that higher pleasures contribute more significantly to overall happiness. Choosing a higher pleasure over a lower one maximizes happiness.

Act Utilitarianism

Focuses on the consequences of individual actions. The best action is the one that produces the most happiness in a specific situation.

Rule Utilitarianism

Focuses on establishing general rules that, if followed consistently, would maximize overall happiness. While an individual action might not always lead to the greatest happiness in a particular instance, following the rule generally does.