Utilitarianism and Moral Theory

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms, key figures, hedonistic factors, and major objections related to Bentham and Mill's versions of Utilitarianism.

Consequentialism

The moral theory stating that the morally right action is the action that produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Utilitarianism

A form of Consequentialism that defines the greatest good as happiness and the absence of pain, holding that the right action produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

Jeremy Bentham

An English philosopher (1748-1832) who defended a quantitative, hedonistic version of Utilitarianism that treated all pleasures as equal.

Pig Morality

A criticism raised by clergy in the Church of England against Bentham's view, claiming that treating all pleasures as equal justified living like pigs.

John Stuart Mill

An English philosopher (1806-1873) who published 'Utilitarianism' in 1861, refining Bentham's theory by introducing qualitative distinctions between higher and lower pleasures.

Greatest Happiness Principle

The core moral principle stating that the right action is the action that maximizes overall happiness and minimizes pain for the greatest number of people.

Intensity (Bentham's Calculus)

A factor in Bentham's method to quantify happiness that measures how strong a pleasure is.

Duration (Bentham's Calculus)

A factor in Bentham's method to quantify happiness that measures how long the pleasure lasts.

Certainty (Bentham's Calculus)

A factor in Bentham's method to quantify happiness measuring the likelihood that the pleasure will occur.

Proximity (Bentham's Calculus)

A factor in Bentham's method to quantify happiness referring to how soon the pleasure will happen.

Fecundity (Bentham's Calculus)

A factor in Bentham's method to quantify happiness measuring the chance that a pleasure will lead to more pleasures.

Purity (Bentham's Calculus)

A factor in Bentham's method to quantify happiness measuring the likelihood that a pleasure will not be followed by pain.

Extent (Bentham's Calculus)

A factor in Bentham's method to quantify happiness measuring how many people are affected by an action.

Act Utilitarianism

A form of utilitarianism where each individual action is judged by its specific consequences rather than by following moral rules.

Rule Utilitarianism

A form of utilitarianism holding that an action is right if it follows a rule that, when universally followed, maximizes utility and happiness.

Higher Pleasures

Mental pleasures in John Stuart Mill's qualitative revision of utilitarianism, which he argued are superior to physical pleasures.

Competent Judge Test

Mill's test for ranking pleasures, asserting that only a person who has experienced both of two pleasures is qualified to judge which is higher.

Desired vs. Desirable Flaw

A key objection to Mill's proof of happiness, noting that equating what is desired with what is desirable fails because desirable means what 'ought' to be desired.