rs utilitarianism

What type of theory is Bentham's utilitarianism?

Teleological - purpose focused.

How does Bentham's utilitarianism measure usefulness?

Based on assessing end result.

What are the three main parts of Bentham's utilitarianism?

What motivates humans to do good/bad.
- Utility principle/What is good for majority.
- Hedonic Calculus, measure of good/bad of consequence.

What is Bentham's utilitarianism quote on the utility principle?

"It is the greatest good to the greatest number of people which is the measure of right and wrong".

What did Bentham argue that actions should be measured based on?

Happiness or pleasure produced.

What did Bentham say motivates us and is the driver of life?

Pleasure/pain - they are our 'masters'. Our 'driver' is the pursuit of happiness.

What is hedonism?

The ethical theory that pleasure - satisfying desires - is the highest good and aim of human life.

What is Bentham's quote on supposed altruism and what does it mean?

In words, a man may pretend to abjure their empire" - We pretend to be above/be unaffected by (abjure), but remain subject to our pleasures. Even charitable actions are done for an inner pleasure, e.g. the pleasure of giving/helping.

How does Bentham's ethical theory link to the community?

We should consider the community as a whole rather than individuals alone when making decisions, including the sum of community interests.

What is the Hedonic Calculus?

Used to calculate the pleasure/pain of a situation's outcome and apply the principle of utility.

Why may the hedonic calculus be problematic in complex situations?

It is not numerical and difficult to measure - so too subjective in how it can be considered, and may be impractical to apply in all situations as it oversimplifies everything to pleasure/pain - we are emotional, complex beings with much more than that.

Describe J.S. Mill's utilitarianism.

Influenced by Bentham, while recognising issues with him - if the greatest good is quantitative, some people's good would arguably be overlooked if majority agree. Ignoring the minority seems to lower us to animals - Mill wanted to solve this issue.

What are higher pleasures according to Mill?

Qualitatively better pleasures including those of the mind and those which are virtuous and long-term.

What are lower pleasures according to Mill?

Quantitatively greater pleasures - we are dissatisfied with higher pleasures even if we recognise them, as quantity is sacrificed. Lower pleasures of the body may feel better quantitatively even if not.

What pleasures do Mill say should be preferred in choices and why?

Higher pleasures - we should prefer these even if quantity of pleasure is sacrificed, as the quality is greater; the mind should be preferred over the body in this sense.

What was Mill's quote on satisfaction?

"It is better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied, it is better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied."

What does Mill believe around temptation?

We are tempted to bodily pleasure, recognising that higher pleasures are better but lacking character to ignore bodily pleasures.

What is Mill's principle of universalisability?

Happiness is desirable and the only thing desirable as an end, thus all should aim for everyone's happiness as increasing general happiness increases your own.

Would only work if everyone's idea of happiness is the same.

What did Mill say about life's aim?

To be far from pain and rich in enjoyments, both qualitative and quantitative. These provide a benchmark of morality.

What did Mill say about the consequence of pursuing lower pleasures?

Lower pleasures gratify more but bring greater pain.

How did Mill feel about the hedonic calculus and Bentham's theories?

Did not oppose the axes of the calculus, rather the source of pleasure and pain and their types.

What did Mill feel about altruism in relation to ourselves?

We should recognise our own happiness and interests in an altruistic way, renouncing lower for higher pleasures.

What was Mill's idea for pleasure in culture/art?

The great and wise could agree on the greatest pleasure in culture and art - many saw this view as elitist.

What is act utilitarianism?

Application of the theory to individual acts/situations with morality judged by the greatest good it produces for the greatest number.

How is the principle of utility applied in act utilitarianism?

To individual situations based on consequences.

How are decisions reached in act utilitarianism?

By considering the axes of the hedonic calculus in every situation based on pleasure versus pain.

How may act utilitarianism cause us to do something generally believed to be wrong?

Something like murder or gang rape may be permissible if calculus applied and nothing else taken into consideration other than 'pleasure' and 'pain'.

What is rule utilitarianism?

Measures consequence of an act repeated as a rule for similar circumstances. Relies on greatest happiness based on general rules, like murder being wrong.

How are rules judged in rule utilitarianism?

A general rule is judged based on the greatest good it produce

What does rule utilitarianism focus on?

Rules formed by using utilitarianism to benefit society. Actions are considered good or bad based on consequences of a rule which everyone should follow in similar situations.

What is the long term consequence of considering the moral outcome?

Reduces complexity and subjectivity with general

What are the two types of rule in rule utilitarianism?

Strong rules - Can never be disobeyed.
Weak rules - Should be generally followed but may not be followed indefinitely or if circumstances exceptional.

What if following a rule in rule utilitarianism does not lead to the greatest happiness for yourself?

You should follow it for the overall goodness of society.

What are strengths of act utilitarianism?

- Individual to situations, does not generalise.
- Treats all conscious people capable of experiencing pleasure/pain as equally important when making moral choice.

What are weaknesses of rule utilitarianism?

Places preservation of rules above individual needs.
- We can't be certain that following a general rule will always lead to the greatest pleasure as examination is not individual.
- Does not always protect minority group if rule is for majority.

What are strengths of rule utilitarianism?

- We need general rules for meaningful moral theory. Always following a rule can often lead to best result.
- Moral conduct is more straightforward as you do not need to calculate pleasure vs pain every time.
- Protects against immoral acts like gang rape.

What are weaknesses of act utilitarianism?

- Justified tyranny of majority.
- Too subjective and complicated/time-consuming to calculate.
- Doesn't clearly distinguish types of pleasure.
- Act can be made right or wrong by facts other than good or evil like lying or betrayal.
- Doesn't protect minorities.

Why is utilitarianism strong from the basis of teleology?

Links morality to pursuit of happiness, protecting against individual pursuits. Offers a balanced, consequence-focused democratic morality that works for societal organisation.

Why is utilitarianism weak from the basis of teleology?

Only focuses on consequence - what about deontology? You can't always be certain about consequences as some actions have unforeseen, unpredictable impacts that may not be apparent for a long time.

Why is utilitarianism strong from the basis of justice vs happiness?

Ensures maximum pleasure.

Why is utilitarianism weak from the basis of justice vs happiness?

May lead to horrific acts due to tyranny of majority. Some individuals could be used for majority's good i.e. a minority 'slave class'. Alasdair Macintyre - Justified Nazis.
'swine ethics'.

Why is utilitarianism strong from the basis of higher/lower pleasures?

It provides a solution to issues of Bentham's original theory and rules out some situations that may be unjust with tyranny of majority.

Why is utilitarianism weak from the basis of higher/lower pleasures?

Higher/lower pleasures are still subjective overall - Mill's view on what constitutes them may be somewhat elitist and not universally held.

Still ends up ignoring intentions of actions - a good consequence of bad intention could occur.

What is one major criticism of utilitarianism that is not considered?

What about intentions within morality? What if there is a good consequence but bad intention?

Why is utilitarianism weak from the basis of questions around pleasure and pain?

Measuring pleasure is not straightforward and is subjective.

Plus, pain can be good and necessary in some cases - it is natural and emotional - avoiding it means avoiding humanity.

It assumes a common agreement around causes of pain/pleasure and ignores spiritual aspects.

Why is utilitarianism strong from the point of rationality/type of theory?

It is individualistic, rational and practical which fits a world of competing religions.

A basis of 'happiness' being the good and the goal is reasonable.

It is not a conceptual or esoteric theory, more pragmatic.

Weighing interests = fairer than absolutist legalism.

Why is utilitarianism weak from the point of its type of theory?

It is reliant on guesses and predictions without looking at actions or intentions - this is a totally unreliable ethical theory.

It is less able to deal with human rights or equality as it will always go against the minority's opinion. Factors like equality, rights and justice are not easily considered.