Bentham's Act Utilitarianism

• Context of Bentham 


  Bentham was a social reformer - C18-19th - who recognised that there was many social problems created in society by the divide between the rich and the poor
• Bentham was an atheist who believed religion prevented morality - therefore his theory does not rely on God at all, and instead focuses on a human ability to reason
• Hedonism - the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain
• Bentham was an Ethical Naturalist meaning he saw good and bad as naturally occurring in the world. Therefore, morally good actions are ones which bring about pleasure and morally bad actions which bring about pain
• The Utility Principle

  Act in a way that produces the greatest pleasure for the greatest number
• The Hedonic Calculus

  A "pleasure calculator", a set of principles that are designed to help people consider which actions bring about the greatest pleasure to the greatest majority.
• The Principles of the Hedonic Calculus

  Intensity - Stronger happiness is better than weaker

  Duration - Longer lasting pleasure is better than brief

  Certainty - An act that will definitely produce pleasure is better than one which could only possibly produce pleasure
• The principles of the Hedonic Calculus

  Propinquity/Remoteness - The more immediate the pleasure, the more relevant it should be to the decision

  Fecundity/Produce - A pleasure that leads to more pleasure is greater than a pleasure which does not lead to more, and pain which leads to more pain is worse than pain which doesn't
• The principles of the Hedonic Calculus

  Purity - A pleasure with no pain mixed in is the greatest pleasure

  Extent - The more people sharing the pleasure the better
• Bentham's theory is teleological in nature, as you only need to consider the consequences of an action to determine morality. Therefore there are no moral absolutes
• How J.S Mill adapted the theory

  Mill concluded that there was problems with Bentham's system of morality, particularly the fact that it allows you to exploit minorities in order to benefit the majority. Mill added new rules in order to combat these issues. He created a more hybrid theory, that still focusses on maximising pleasure, but still maintains laws and order in society. An example of this is that stealing and murder are wrong and should be avoided
• Mill's higher and lower pleasures

  Mill also argued that Bentham's theory was a little animalistic because of the focus on human pleasure. Mill suggested that is it better top pursue intellectual pleasures such as reading over lower pleasures such as sex and overeating
• Strengths of Bentham's argument

  Secular and not religious so applies to everyone
• Strengths of Bentham's argument

  It reflects human nature: we can see that pleasure brings about good consequences
• Strengths of Bentham's argument

  It is democratic so works within contemporary society
• Strengths of Bentham's argument

  There is a framework which helps people to apply the principle of utility
• Strengths of Bentham's argument

  Mill's adaption and addition of rules makes the theory more acceptable
• Weaknesses of Bentham's argument

  Could lead to the creation of "slave culture" as it is acceptable to use the minority to benefit the majority
• Weaknesses of Bentham's argument

  Seen as basic and animalistic as it prioritises pleasure
• Weaknesses of Bentham's argument

  It is impossible to predict the future so we cannot know which action is the best
• Weaknesses of Bentham's argument

  Does not apply to religious people
• Weaknesses of Bentham's argument

  Any action is permissible as there is no moral absolutes
• How Utilitarian's make decisions

  The "Principle of Unity"

  The Hedonic Calculus

  Reflect on their own experiences

  Use their ability to reason

  Weigh up the best options an choose that outcome
• How religious people make decisions

  Consider religious guidance e.g. Scripture

  Pray for guidance

  Reflect on their own previous experiences from history within their religion

  Use their ability to reason (NML)

  Consider agapeic action (SE)

  Follow religious law