Utilitarianism

• Who is the founder of classical utilitarianism?

  Bentham
• What was Bentham's main focus in his theory of utilitarianism?

  Calculating happiness and pain
• Who refined Bentham's theory of utilitarianism?

  Mill
• What key distinction did Mill make in his refinement of utilitarianism?

  Between higher and lower pleasures
• What aspect did Mill emphasize in his version of utilitarianism?

  Individual liberties
• How does Dickens connect to utilitarianism in his works?

  • Questions the benefits of utilitarian policies on individuals
  • Highlights suffering of marginalized groups
  • Critiques industrial systems driven by utility maximization
• What does Dickens expose about the impact of utilitarian policies?

  They may not truly benefit individuals
• What type of groups does Dickens focus on in relation to utilitarian policies?

  Marginalized groups
• What is the main critique Dickens has regarding industrial systems?

  They are driven by utility maximization
• What does Bentham's conception of utility promote?

  Happiness, good, pleasure, benefit, advantage
• What does Bentham's conception of utility aim to prevent?

  Unhappiness, evil, pain, mischief
• What critique does Dickens present regarding the focus on measurable outcomes?

  It overlooks essential human emotions like love, compassion, and creativity
• What are the key components of Bentham's conception of utility?

  • Promoting happiness
  • Promoting good
  • Promoting pleasure
  • Promoting benefit
  • Promoting advantage
  • Preventing unhappiness
  • Preventing evil
  • Preventing pain
  • Preventing mischief
• How does Dickens critique the focus on measurable outcomes?

  • Through characters and settings
  • Suggests it overlooks essential human emotions
  • Highlights the importance of love, compassion, and creativity
• Who is the author of the definition of utilitarianism provided in the study material?

  John Stuart Mill
• What does John Stuart Mill state about actions in relation to happiness?

  Actions are right if they promote happiness and wrong if they produce the reverse of happiness
• What is utilitarianism as described in the study material?

  • A normative ethical theory
  • Actions are evaluated based on their consequences for happiness
  • Right actions promote happiness; wrong actions produce unhappiness
• How does Dickens’ perspective in Hard Times relate to utilitarianism?

  It shows how utilitarian principles can reduce human experiences to profit and loss calculations
• What skepticism does Dickens express toward normative theories in Hard Times?

  He is skeptical of theories that ignore the complexities of human nature
• Who defined utilitarianism as actions being right in proportion as they promote happiness?

  John Stuart Mill
• What does John Stuart Mill's definition of utilitarianism imply about actions?

  Actions are right if they promote happiness and wrong if they produce unhappiness.
• What is utilitarianism classified as in ethical theory?

  • A normative ethical theory
  • Focuses on the consequences of actions
  • Aims to maximize happiness
• How does Dickens’ perspective in Hard Times relate to utilitarianism?

  It shows how utilitarian principles can reduce human experiences to profit and loss calculations.
• What skepticism does Dickens express toward normative theories in Hard Times?

  He is skeptical of theories that ignore the complexities of human nature.
• What is the title of the Dickens' narratives mentioned in the study material?

  Bleak House and Hard Times
• What moral flaw is associated with characters like Mr. Bounderby in Dickens' narratives?

  They prioritize outcomes above human connections
• What does Dickens critique in relation to utilitarian thinking?

  He critiques the idea that justifying actions solely by their consequences can dehumanize individuals
• What is the central theme of Dickens' critique in "Ends Justify the Means"?

  • Characters prioritizing outcomes over human connections are morally flawed
  • Utilitarian thinking can lead to dehumanization
• What does consequentialism focus on?

  The outcomes of actions
• How does Dickens portray the mindset of consequentialism in Victorian industry?

  It results in workers being treated as mere means to economic ends, leading to suffering
• What is enlightened egoism?

  Acting in one’s self-interest can lead to collective good
• How does Dickens challenge the notion of enlightened egoism through the character of Ebenezer Scrooge?

  Scrooge’s initial selfishness harms those around him, and his redemption comes through empathy and personal transformation
• What leads to Scrooge's redemption in A Christmas Carol?

  Empathy and personal transformation, not self-interested calculation
• What can be inferred about Dickens' view on self-interest based on Scrooge's character development?

  Self-interest alone is insufficient for true moral growth
• What are the key themes presented in Dickens' portrayal of consequentialism and enlightened egoism?

  • Consequentialism focuses on outcomes over intentions
  • Workers treated as means to economic ends
  • Enlightened egoism suggests self-interest can benefit all
  • Scrooge's transformation highlights the importance of empathy