🔹 What is Teleological Ethics?
A moral theory that judges actions based on their consequences.
An action is right if it leads to the best outcomes.
🔹 What is the Principle of Utility?
"Greatest happiness for the greatest number."
The foundation of Utilitarianism (Jeremy Bentham).
🔹 What is Ethical Egoism?
The belief that actions are morally right if they maximize self-interest.
🔹 Types of Ethical Egoism:
Personal – One acts in their own interest, but others don’t have to.
Individual – Everyone should act in their own self-interest.
Universal – Everyone ought to act in their self-interest.
🔹 Who are key thinkers in Ethical Egoism?
Thomas Hobbes – Social Contract & self-preservation.
Ayn Rand – Rational self-interest (Objectivism).
Adam Smith – "Invisible Hand" of self-interest benefiting society.
🔹 Criticisms of Ethical Egoism?
Can lead to conflicts of interest.
No moral obligation to others.
Society might break down if everyone acted selfishly.
🔹 What is Utilitarianism?
A moral theory that evaluates actions based on the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
🔹 Types of Utilitarianism:
Act Utilitarianism (Bentham) – Each action is judged by its specific consequences.
Rule Utilitarianism (Mill) – Moral rules should be followed for long-term benefits.
🔹 What is the Hedonic Calculus?
A method to measure pleasure and pain based on:
Intensity (How strong?)
Duration (How long?)
Certainty (How likely?)
Propinquity (How soon?)
Fecundity (Will it lead to more pleasure?)
Purity (How free from pain?)
Extent (How many people affected?)
🔹 Key Thinkers in Utilitarianism?
Jeremy Bentham – Founder, developed Hedonic Calculus.
John Stuart Mill – Distinguished higher and lower pleasures.
🔹 Criticisms of Utilitarianism?
Justifies immoral acts if they maximize happiness.
Hard to predict consequences accurately.
Ignores justice and rights (e.g., sacrificing one for many).
🔹 Ethical Egoism vs. Act Utilitarianism vs. Rule Utilitarianism
Feature | Ethical Egoism | Act Utilitarianism | Rule Utilitarianism |
---|---|---|---|
Moral Focus | Self-interest | Greatest good per action | Greatest good via rules |
Obligation to Others? | No | Yes, equally | Yes, through rules |
Key Thinkers | Hobbes, Rand, Smith | Bentham | Mill |
Decision Process | What benefits me? | What benefits most people now? | What general rule benefits most? |
Criticism | Selfish, lacks cooperation | Can justify harm | Rules may conflict with cases |
🔹 What is the Prisoner's Dilemma?
A scenario showing how individual self-interest can lead to worse outcomes for all.
Applies to Ethical Egoism (conflict between cooperation & self-interest).
🔹 What is the Trolley Problem?
A moral dilemma: pull the lever to kill one and save five or do nothing?
Applies to Utilitarianism (weighing consequences).
🔹 What is Nozick’s Experience Machine?
A thought experiment challenging Utilitarianism:
Would you plug into a machine that gives you endless pleasure but isn't real?
Suggests pleasure isn't the only moral good.