Hedonism and Utilitarianism

Instrumental Vale

To be valuable because it is a means to getting you something else desirable. A tool used to achieve a goal. Examples food for nourishment, honesty for trust and strong relationships, money to buy things

Intrinsic Value

To be valuable in itself; valuable for its own sake. It is good or desirable
on its own. Examples happiness, justice, knowledge, beauty, health

hedonism

thesis that pleasure and pleasure alone is intrinsically good, pain and pain alone is intrinsically bad

Sensualists

All pleasure=“sensual titillation” Pleasure experienced through the physical senses. Example. eating a good meal, watching a sunset, sexual pleasure.

Satisfactionists

Pleasure= satisfaction or enjoyment that may or may not involve sensuality. A pleasurable state of consciousness, not
just initial feeling of happiness.
Ex. Accomplishing a goal.
Ex. Receiving a gift.
Ex. Learning something new.

two parts of nonhedonism

monists and pluralists

Monists

Believe that there is one intrinsic good but it is not happiness. This does not necessarily mean they know what it is. Example, Plato believes in the “form“ of the good 

Pluralists

Can believe that happiness is an intrinsic pleasure, but it is not the only one.
They can believe other things are also intrinsically valuable for example; freedom, love, friendship

Attractions

Intuitive: everyone seems to seek pleasure and avoid pain. Simplicity: clear guiding principle on value. Practical: ties into psychology and economics (dopamine, reward system)

utilitarianism features

consequentialism and utility principle

consequentialism

moral status of actions depend on their consequences

utility principle

only thing that is good in itself is a specific type of state (welfare, happiness, pleasure)

Jeremy Bentham

-First one to systematize utilitarianism
-Accepts hedonism. He thinks 1 unit of pleasure from one source is
exactly as valuable as 1 unit of pleasure from another source
-Bentham also accepts this view of right conduct: An action is right if (if and only if) it increases the total amount of what is intrinsically good in the world, or decreases what is intrinsically bad.
-His theory of hedonistic utilitarianism says whatever action produces the most net happiness/pleasure and the least
unhappiness/pain is the morally right thing to do. He does this using his hedonic calculus.

How do we measure happiness? (According to
Bentham)

Bentham uses what he calls the hedonic calculus, pleasure or pain will be considered greater or less depending on these circumstances:
1. Intensity- How intense is it?
2. Duration- How long does it last?
3. Certainty/ Uncertainty- How probable is it?
4. Propinquity- How near or remote is it?
5. Fecundity- Does it lead to further pleasure?
6. Purity-How free from pain is it?
7. Extent-How widely does it cover?

Satisfied Pig Objection

-Bentham’s view seen as “”Pig-philosophy”, since a pig enjoying his life would constitute a higher moral state than a slightly dissatisfied human being.”
-If life has no higher end than pleasure than is this theory “worthy only of swine”

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

● Refined and popularized utilitarianism
● Greatest happiness principle (utility principle according to mill): Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness;
wrong as they tend to produce unhappiness.
● Happiness = pleasure and the absence of pain
● Unhappiness = pain and the privation of pleasure
● Main difference from Bentham: Higher and lower pleasures

lower pleasures

Lower pleasures are less valuable, they do not count as much as higher pleasures. Examples of lower pleasures can include bodily pleasures
like eating food, sex, drinking alcohol, warmth etc. They are usually pleasures we can
have in common with other animals

higher pleasures

Higher pleasures are more valuable than lower pleasures. Examples of higher pleasures include art, music, poetry. They have to do with using higher level capabilities usually in the form of intellectual pursuits, imagination, moral sentiments, etc.

Objections and Replies

● Objection: Where is the proof for the principle of utility?
● Reply: Utilitarianism is based on a premise: that happiness and happiness alone is intrinsically good (desirable for its own sake, as an end).
● His argument for this has two parts:

1. Happiness IS desirable as an end ( = good in itself) and

2..Happiness is the ONLY thing desirable as an end – nothing else is.

● It’s too demanding: we cannot always “act
from the inducement of promoting the general
interest of society”
● Reply: Utilitarianism specifies what the outcome of our actions should be, but not their
motive

utilitarianism

the right action is the one that maximizes overall happiness/pleasure and minimizes unhappiness/pain for the greatest number of people

act utilitarianism

● We are obligated to do whatever specific act produces the greatest happiness.
● Focused on consequences of individual actions, calculates utility every time an act is performed.
● It’s on a case by case basis.
● Relies on hedonic calculus of some sort

rule utilitarianism

● Follow moral rules that when acted upon generally produce the greatest amount of happiness.
● Considers sets of actions instead of individual actions.

“Rule-Utilitarianism” John Hospers

● Rule Utilitarianism (according to Hospers): “Each act in a moral life, falls under a rule; and we are to judge the rightness or wrongness of the act, not by its consequences, but by the consequences of its universalization- that is, by the consequences of the adoption of the rule under which this act falls.”
● We could condemn an act the seems like it would have good consequences this specific time because if it was a rule it would lead to bad consequences.
● Grade change example
● Voter example
● Rules apply to circumstances that are similar in morally relevant ways.

Some More Objections

● Happiness is subjective and may actually be impossible to measure.
● Predicting consequences is not always easily done.
● Focusing on consequences may ignore the importance of individual rights, equality, and justice.