Bentham and Kant

• What are the key features of Bentham's ethics?

  • Act Utilitarianism
  • Focus on pleasure and pain
  • Ethical Naturalism
  • Utility Principle
  • Hedonic Calculus
• Who was Bentham and what was his context?

  Social reformer in 18th century England
• What social issues did Bentham address?

  Imbalance between rich and poor
• What is the 'Panopticon'?

  A revolutionary prison design by Bentham
• What was Bentham's view on religion?

  He saw religion as preventing morality
• What is Hedonism according to Bentham?

  Humans are driven by pleasure and pain
• How does Bentham define good and bad actions?

  Good actions bring pleasure; bad actions bring pain
• What is the Utility Principle?

  Act to produce greatest pleasure for most
• What is the Hedonic Calculus?

  A method to calculate pleasure from actions
• What are the principles of the Hedonic Calculus?

  • Intensity: Stronger happiness is better
  • Duration: Longer pleasure is better
  • Certainty: Certain pleasure is preferred
  • Propinquity: Immediate pleasure is more relevant
  • Fecundity: Pleasure leading to more pleasure is better
  • Purity: Pleasure without pain is best
  • Extent: More people sharing pleasure is better
• Why is Bentham's theory considered teleological?

  It focuses on consequences to determine morality
• Who adapted Bentham's Utilitarianism?

  J.S. Mill
• What is Rule Utilitarianism?

  Utilitarianism with rules to protect minorities
• What did Mill mean by higher and lower pleasures?

  Intellectual pleasures are superior to animalistic ones
• Who is Immanuel Kant?

  Influential Enlightenment philosopher
• What is the 'summum bonum' in Kant's ethics?

  Being perfectly rational is the ultimate good
• How is Kant's theory deontological?

  It focuses on duties regardless of consequences
• What is the Categorical Imperative?

  An unconditional moral requirement to obey
• What are the three forms of the Categorical Imperative?

  1. Act only on maxims that can be universalized.
  2. Treat humans as ends, not means.
  3. Act as if a legislating member of a universal kingdom of ends.
• What is a 'good will' according to Kant?

  Wanting to follow the moral law
• What is Kant's view of God and angels?

  They exist as perfectly rational beings
• What is the noumenal realm?

  The realm of perfectly rational beings
• What is the phenomenal realm?

  The materialistic realm of pleasure and pain
• What should humans aim for according to Kant?

  To obey moral law and be rational
• What is Kant's view on moral responsibility?

  Humans must act rationally and responsibly
• What are the sources of authority in religious decision making?

  • Scripture (e.g., the Bible)
  • Church/religious tradition
  • Guidance of the Holy Spirit
  • Advice from religious leaders
  • Intuition and conscience
• What are the theories that are religious in nature?

  • Divine Command Theories
  • Natural Moral Law (NML)
  • Situation Ethics (SE)
• What are the similarities between Kantian and religious decision making?

  • Both can function in a secular society.
  • Both support democratic aims.
  • Both focus on the good of society.
• What are the differences between Kantian and religious decision making?

  • Kant believes in rationality over divine command.
  • Kant's ethics are not based on emotional intuition.
  • Kant's framework is deontological, unlike some religious theories.
• How do Utilitarians make decisions?

  • Consider the Principle of Utility.
  • Consult the Hedonic Calculus.
  • Reflect on historical experiences.
• How do religious people make decisions?

  • Consult religious guidelines (e.g., Scripture).
  • Pray for guidance.
  • Follow religious laws as duty.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Kant's ethics?

  Strengths:

  • Based on reason and clear rules.
  • Egalitarian and respects human dignity.

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Inflexible and unrealistic.
  • Depends on unverifiable phenomena.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Bentham's ethics?

  Strengths:

  • Secular and democratic.
  • Reflects human nature.

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Can lead to exploitation of minorities.
  • Predicting outcomes is impossible.
• What are the differences between Utilitarianism and Kantian Ethics?

  • Teleological vs. deontological.
  • Bentham does not believe in God; Kant does.
  • Bentham focuses on pleasure; Kant on reason.