RS a level ETHICS - rule utilitarianism

all content and evaluation

Quote from Mill about the difference in quality of certain pleasures

“It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied”

Give two examples of lower pleasures

drinking alcohol, sex

Give two examples of higher pleasures

enjoying artwork, reading difficult literature

Why might Mill have proposed that the arts are higher pleasures

He was told by his father never to show emotion, which hurt his mental health. He became depressed, but when he discovered poetry it essentially saved him. He therefore found literature to be a very powerful pleasure

Criticism of Mills argument that literature/reading is an important higher pleasure

the literacy rate in Victorian England was low, making this assertion elitist

Who did Mill decide should choose the rules under a utilitarian society? Why is this a problem?

the great and wise. Not democratic

Why is rule utilitarianism still relativist?

Rules can be broken under extreme circumstances

Four criticisms of rule utilitarianism

Lack of autonomy in morality

if the majority is corrupt then unfair rules can be established

descent into act due to weak rules

elitist

Three strengths of rule utilitarianism

considers the quality of pleasures

no harm principle

avoids tyranny of the majority

What does Mill say about censorship

it is the enemy of progress

Does Mill think physical harm or verbal harm is worse? why?

Physical. Believes offensive speech is not hurtful

Quote from Mill about harm principle. What does it show?

“My freedom to swing my fists ends at your nose”. Amoral decisions are up to the individual, but moral decisions that impact others have rules

Why is rule util. teleoloigcal?

focused on outcomes

there is a painting and a child in a burning building and only one can be saved. What does William MacAskill suggest, according to Mill, should be saved and why?

the painting: creates more cultivated sympathy which is able to connect to the many more children who are in just as much need of saving and outnumber the single burning child

define rule utilitarianism

following general, accepted laws that lead to the greatest overall balance of good over evil, or pleasure over pain, for the sake of the common good

is rule utilitarianism communitarian or individualist

communitarian

what is rule-worship (limitation of RU)

where the rule becomes more important than maximising utility

what is weak rule utilitarianism

allows flexibility to laws, arguably leading to the break-down of the system