Util

• Greatest happiness principle


  The claim that the moral action is the one that maximises net happiness - the greatest happiness for the greatest number (It is the combination of the equity principle, consequentialist principle and the hedonic principle)
• Hedonic Principle


  The further claim that consequences are to be evaluated in their production of pleasure and avoidance of pain.

  (Pleasure is the only intrinsic good)
• Consequentialist principle


  The claim that the morality of an action is solely dependent on the consequences that come about as a result of the action (this means things like intent and character are not considered).
• Equity principle


  The claim that the same experience, in terms of pleasure or pain is of the same value no matter who it is experienced by.
• Qualitative


  A qualitative account of pleasure claims hat thee are different sorts of pleasure and that these can differ in terms of value (meaning that a small quantity of one pleasure may be of more value than a large quantity of another)
• Quantitative


  A quantitative account of pleasure hold that all pleasures are of the same sort, meaning that when we say a pleasure is 'better' we really mean that it is 'more'.
• Hedonic calculus


  Benthams even part method for calculating the quantity of happiness. Asks the agent to consider the pleasure/ pain that will result from an action in terms of intensity; duration; certainty; propinquity; fecundity; (im)purity; extent.
• Higher order pleasures


  Pleasures of the intellect. Generated by intellectual activity, creative work, and moral acts.
• Lower order pleasures


  Pleasures that do not fall into the above category. Usually physical pleasures that we would expect animals to also be able to enjoy.
• Competent judge


  Those who have experienced higher and lower pleasures and prefer higher pleasures.
• Criticisms of utilitarianism


  Evil pleasures

  Difficulty predicting consequences

  Tyranny of the majority
• Evil pleasures


  This criticism claims that not all pleasures are good. The strange example where someone enjoys inflicting pain more than it is painful to another seems to suggest that utilitarianism might have to endorse actions that are, so the criticism goes, quite clearly wrong.
• Difficulty of predicting consequences

  The consequences we are aiming for may not turn out to be the actual consequences that happen following our action. We are not in control of this. Sometimes the consequences can be completely unforeseen. It is also hard to balance (and predict) local and global consequences as well as short term and longer term consequences.
• Tyranny of the majority

  This criticism focuses on the ability of a large group to exploit, or abuse, a minority in producing an increase in happiness. As such, an action that would be 'wrong' with few beneficiaries becomes 'right' simply because it benefits people. This, it is claimed, is unjust and ignores the (assumed) rights of the minority.
• What are the steps of the hedonic calculus?

  Intensity

  Certainty

  Purity

  Propinquity

  Fecundity

  Duration

  Extent
• What are the criticisms of lower and higher order pleasures?

  It's hard to tell the difference between higher and lower order pleasures

  
  

  They could perpetuate imperialism/ global inequality.