Utilitarianism

• Who invented the first form of 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?

  Good actions maximize happiness for most
• Why is Utilitarianism considered a consequentialist theory?

  It focuses on the consequences of actions
• What is Bentham's hedonic calculus used for?

  Measuring pleasure from actions
• 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. Potential for further pleasure
  6. Risk of pain following pleasure
  7. Number of people affected
• What did Mill distinguish between in his qualitative Utilitarianism?

  Lower and higher pleasures
• How does Mill argue that higher pleasures are superior?

  They produce more durable happiness
• What does Mill say about competent judges?

  They prefer higher pleasures over lower ones
• How does Mill counter the objection that Utilitarianism is a doctrine for swine?

  By emphasizing the value of higher pleasures
• What does Mill claim about the preference for higher pleasures?

  They are preferred even at a cost
• What does Mill say about the cultivation of higher pleasures?

  It requires careful cultivation and support
• What is Rule Utilitarianism?

  Following rules that maximize happiness
• What distinguishes strong from weak Rule Utilitarianism?

  Adherence to rules regardless of situation
• What is a criticism of strong Rule Utilitarianism?

  It may become deontological and empty
• What is a 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 say about the complexity of happiness?

  It is too complex for simple calculations
• What are secondary principles according to Mill?

  General rules for maximizing happiness
• What is the harm principle?

  People should be free unless harming others
• How does Mill suggest resolving conflicts between secondary principles?

  By applying the first principle of utility
• What is a potential conflict in secondary principles?

  Helping others vs. not harming others
• What is a criticism of Utilitarianism regarding calculation?

  It requires knowledge of future consequences
• What does Bentham say about predicting consequences?

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

  Follow secondary principles based on experience
• What is the moral rightness of an action according to Mill?

  It depends on maximizing happiness
• What is the goal of actions according to Utilitarianism?

  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 about measuring subjective feelings?

  It is not perfect but informative enough
• What does Mill's version of Utilitarianism avoid regarding calculation?

  It avoids complex calculations and predictions
• What are the secondary principles in Mill's Utilitarianism?

  Principles judged to promote happiness
• What is Mill's moral obligation regarding happiness?

  To follow principles that promote societal happiness
• How does Mill view the possibility of perfectly acting on the principle of utility?

  He believes it is currently impossible
• What does Mill say about society's progress in Utilitarianism?

  It should assess and improve its principles
• How does Mill handle conflicts of rules in Utilitarianism?

  By judging actions based on the principle of utility
• What additional factor does Mill consider when judging actions?

  Quality of pleasure, not just quantity
• How does Mill suggest we measure the quality of pleasure?

  By investigating people's preferences