Utilitarianism

• Define Utilitarianism.

  Bentham and Mill's system of ethics that applies empiricism (observations) to moral and social issues and focuses on consequences. (Intentions & duties don't matter)

  • Gives the most pleasure to the most people.
• Define Utility.

  Capable of promoting pleasure.
• Define Consequentialism.

  The moral worth of an act depends exclusively on the amount of happiness that act promoted.

  • Gives a sense of false dilemma. Choosing/thinking from two options, and which will produce the most happiness.
• What does Jeremy Bentham say about Consequentialism?

  Choose to take the action that provides the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

  • Utilitarianism is like social hedonism (choosing the life that gives pleasure).
• Define Principle of Utility.

  Choose to take the action that provides the greatest happiness, pleasure, etc... for the greatest number of people.

  • Bentham says, all types of simple pleasures are of equal value, so we should quantify (measure) them.
• Define Calculus of Felicity.

  A scientific or empirical formula that determines what is the best action to take.
• What are the 7 formulas or questions to ask to determine what is the best action to take?

  1. Intensity: how intense are the pleasures?
  2. Duration: how long will the pleasures last?
  3. Certainty: how certain are the pleasures? (how good will the pleasures likely make you feel?)
  4. Propinquity (Proximity): how soon will the pleasures be available? (Pleasures that come SOONER are better than pleasures that come later)
  5. Fecundity: how many more will likely follow? (how many pleasures will follow?)
• What are the 7 formulas or questions to ask to determine what is the best action to take? (Part 2)

  6. Purity: how free from pain are the pleasures? (how much pain will follow from the pleasures?)

  7. Extent: how many people will experience the pleasures?
• What was John Stuart Mill concerned about regarding Utilitarianism?

  Was more concerned with the quality of pleasures than the quantity. Some pleasures provide a great deal of more value than others.

  • Abandoned the Calculus of Felicity in order to promote qualitative nature of pleasures.
• What did Mill attempt to do?

  Attempted to provide for individual's rights, which had been missing in Utilitarianism.
• Define the Principle of Harm.

  An action isn't unethical if it only harms the person acting and does no harm to others.

  • Mill's harm principles states that a person can do whatever he wants if his actions do not harm others. If they harm others, society can prevent those actions.
  • Laissez-Faire: hands off ("if I'm not harming anyone, then leave me alone")