Utilitarianism

Question 1

What did Jeremy Bentham say about Utilitarianism?

Answer 1

Teleological: It is the end or goal of moral action, not the act itself that is of good or of value.

Consequentialist: Moral judgements based on outcome.

Hedonistic: Humans desire pleasure and seek to avoid pain.

Quantitative: “Quantity of pleasure being the same, pushpin is as good as poetry”.

Act Utilitarian: Each situation should be assesed separately.

Reduce pain first before increasing pleasure.

Principle of utility: greatesst good for the greatest number.

Question 2

What did John Stuart Mill say about Utilitarianism?

Answer 2

Qualitative: not merely the amount of pleasure/pain.

Question 3

What is act utilitarianism?

Answer 3

• You look at an action to determine what is moral, and from this general rules can be derived.
• Do whatever brings the most happiness in any given situation.

Question 4

What is rule utilitarianism?

Answer 4

• Some general principles are formulated.
• The principle of utility is therefore applied to a rule, so the rule will hold if in general, following it leads to greater happiness.

Question 5

What is preference utilitatrianism?

Answer 5

• This is the satisfaction of people’s preferences rather than aiming to achieve the greatest balance of pleasure over pain.
• It is particularly associated with Peter Singer.
• Does not require experience.
• Things other than pleasure are important to people.

Question 6

What is negative utilitarianism?

Answer 6

• This is the idea that instead of creating the most pleasure, people should reduce suffering.
• This is better for people as in reality, people benefit more from not suffering than being happy.

Question 7

What are the advantages and disadvantages of utilitarianism?

Answer 7

Advantages:

• Utilitarianism deals with the consequences of moral choices whereas other ethical standpoints look to the motives.
• Democratic approach to decision-making.
• Every circumstabce can be judged in its own right without need for precedents.
• Principle itself is a simple one that can be used by all.

Disadvantages:

• Utilitarianism requires the agent to accurately predict the long-term consequences of their actions.
• Consequences could affect people second or third hand.
• Consequences of an action cannot be fully known until it has been carried out.