Utilitarianism

• Who invented Act utilitarianism?

  Jeremy Bentham
• What did Bentham want to reflect in his morality?

  An atheistic understanding of humanity
• What does Bentham claim governs mankind?

  Pain and pleasure
• According to Bentham, what determines our actions?

  Pleasure and pain
• What is the principle of utility?

  Greatest happiness for the greatest number
• Why is utilitarianism considered a consequentialist theory?

  It focuses on the consequences of actions
• What is the hedonic calculus?

  A method to measure pleasure
• What are the seven criteria of Bentham's hedonic calculus?

  1. Strength of pleasure
  2. Duration of pleasure
  3. Likelihood of pleasure occurring
  4. Temporal distance of pleasure
  5. Likelihood of further pleasure
  6. Likelihood of pleasure followed by pain
  7. Number of people affected
• How did Mill differentiate between pleasures?

  By classifying them as higher and lower
• What are lower pleasures according to Mill?

  Those gained from bodily activity
• What are higher pleasures according to Mill?

  Those gained from mental activity
• Why does Mill argue that higher pleasures are superior?

  They produce greater happiness overall
• What does Mill claim about competent judges?

  They prefer higher pleasures over lower ones
• What does Mill mean by "better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied"?

  Higher pleasures are more valuable than lower ones
• What does Mill say about the pursuit of higher pleasures?

  People often sacrifice comfort for them
• What is Mill's response to the objection about people choosing lower pleasures?

  People prefer higher pleasures but may not always choose them
• What does Mill say about the cultivation of higher pleasures?

  It requires careful cultivation and can be lost
• What are the two types of Rule Utilitarianism?

  • Strong Rule Utilitarianism: Follow rules regardless of situation
  • Weak Rule Utilitarianism: Break rules if it maximizes happiness
• What is the criticism of Strong Rule Utilitarianism?

  It becomes deontological and empty
• What is the criticism of Weak Rule Utilitarianism?

  It reduces to Act Utilitarianism
• How does Mill's Rule Utilitarianism differ from Bentham's?

  It uses secondary principles for guidance
• What does Mill identify as a secondary principle?

  The harm principle
• What does the harm principle state?

  People can do what they want unless harming others
• What conflict does Mill discuss in the trolley problem?

  Between harming and helping others
• What does Mill suggest when secondary principles conflict?

  Apply the first principle of utility
• What is a challenge of utilitarianism regarding future consequences?

  It requires knowledge of future outcomes
• What is a challenge of utilitarianism regarding complex calculations?

  It requires complex calculations under time constraints
• What is a challenge of measuring subjective feelings in utilitarianism?

  Subjective feelings cannot be objectively measured
• How does Bentham respond to calculation issues in utilitarianism?

  We need reasonable expectations based on past actions
• How does Mill respond to calculation issues in utilitarianism?

  Follow secondary principles based on collective experience
• What does Mill argue about the moral rightness of an action?

  It depends on following secondary principles
• What is the main goal of utilitarianism according to Bentham?

  To maximize happiness
• How do we form expectations about consequences in utilitarianism?

  Based on past similar actions' outcomes
• How do doctors measure subjective feelings of pain?

  By asking patients to rate pain out of 10
• What does Mill argue regarding the calculation of happiness?

  We need to follow established secondary principles
• What is Mill's view on moral obligation in utilitarianism?

  To follow principles that promote happiness
• How does Mill's utilitarianism address the complexity of moral actions?

  By relying on principles developed by society
• What does Mill say about society's progress in utilitarianism?

  It should assess and improve its principles
• How does Mill differentiate between quality and quantity of pleasure?

  By considering people's preferences for higher pleasures
• What is Mill's response to the objection about calculating happiness before actions?

  We learn from past experiences over time