Phil 103 Utilitarianism

Review of Cism and Ethics

• Kant's Ethics

  • Centered on the categorical imperative.

  • Two Main Formulations:

    • "Act only upon that maxim which you could simultaneously will as a universal law" (no exceptions).

    • "Treat people as ends in themselves, and never as a mere means alone" (no exploitation).

  • Separation of ethics from desires; actions must reflect a good moral will.

  • Ethical actions arise from respect for the categorical imperative.

  • Rejection leads to unethical actions stemming from an ethically poor will.

• Other Formulations of Categorical Imperative:

  • Kingdom of Ends: acting as if one is a legislator for the good.

  • Influences from Rousseau emphasizing rational goodwill over compassion.

Introduction to Utilitarianism

• Transition to Utilitarian Philosophy:

  • Developed post-Kant with Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832), preceded by Kant’s works.

  • Utilitarianism describes a normative approach aimed at maximizing happiness.

• Utilitarianism Basics:

  • Ethics revolves around maximizing good (happiness/pleasure).

  • Shift away from hypothetical social contracts to a direct approach focused on actions and their consequences (goodness increase vs. decrease).

Key Features of Utilitarianism

• Nature of Pleasure:

  • Hedonistic Basis: Emphasizes pleasure/happiness as the ultimate goal.

  • Bentham's emphasis on actions leading to happiness or pleasure for oneself and others.

• Intrinsic vs. Instrumental Value:

  • Intrinsic Value: Pleasure/happiness is valuable for its own sake.

  • Instrumental Value: Other things (like money or tools) are valued for their utility in achieving pleasure.

• Universalism and Impartiality:

  • Pleasure is considered objectively valuable regardless of personal interests.

  • Focus is on maximizing overall happiness for the greatest number of people.

Consequentialism in Utilitarianism

• Act vs. Rule Utilitarianism:

  • Act Utilitarianism: Evaluates each action individually based on its potential to produce pleasure.

  • Rule Utilitarianism: Considers classes of actions and the overall utility of following certain rules.

Challenges and Critiques

• Issues with Hedonism:

  • Are all pleasures equal (e.g., heroin high vs. contemplation)?

  • Are pleasures grounded in reality essential, as illustrated by Nozick's 'experience machine'?

• Transplant Issue:

  • Ethical dilemma where sacrificing one for the benefit of many raises moral questions.

  • Bentham’s perspective may justify unethical outcomes if action maximizes pleasure.

John Stuart Mill's Contributions

• Further Developments:

  • Mill’s Rule Utilitarianism considers quality of pleasures, not just quantity.

  • Introduces the idea of higher pleasures (e.g., intellectual pursuits over mere physical pleasure).

  • Suggests preferences of those who have experienced both types of pleasures determine worthiness.

Preference Utilitarianism

• Evolution Beyond Classic Utilitarianism:

  • Evaluates actions based on the preferences people hold, including those after informed rationality.

  • Economically inclined approaches to ethics discussed, but caution against undue prioritization of faulty preferences.

Conclusion and Application

• Ethical Assignments:

  • Upcoming assignment involves applying Kantianism and Utilitarianism to a practical scenario (e.g., Batman and Joker dilemma).

  • Encouragement to explore which ethical theory provides better guidance in the situation at hand.

  • Connection to final signature assignment: application of ethical theories to personal scenarios.