Utilitarianism

• What is the key idea involved in Utilitarianism?

  That we should aim to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number.
• Principle of utility/ greatest happiness


  The idea that the choice that brings about the greatest good for the greatest number is the right choice. An action is determined by its ‘utility’ or usefulness.
• Teleological


  Looking to the end results (telos) in order to draw a conclusion about what is right or wrong
• Hedonic calculus


  The system for calculating the amount of pain or pleasure generated
• Consequentialism


  Ethical theories that see morality as driven by the consequences, rather than actions or character of those concerned
• Quantitative

  Focused on quantity (how many, how big, etc.)
• Qualitative


  Focused on quality (what kind of thing)
• Act utilitarian


  Weighs up what to do at each individual occasion
• Rule utilitarian


  Weighs up what to do in principle in all occasions of a certain kind
• Hedonism


  The belief that pleasure is the chief ‘good’
• ”Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure.” -Bentham
• What are Bentham’s thoughts on human nature?

  •we instinctively seek pleasure and avoid pain (psychological hedonism)

  •the pursuit of happiness drives us
• What are the seven factors Bentham considers in his hedonic calculus?

  Intensity, duration, certainty, propinquity, fecundity, purity and extent.
• Eudaimonia


  Human flourishing, the ultimate end that all actions should lead towards
• Act Utilitarianism


  The idea that we should always perform the act that leads to the greatest balance of good over evil
• Rule Utilitarianism


  The idea that we should always follow the rule that generally leads to the greatest balance of good over evil.
• “It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied” -J.S. Mill
• “Human rights is justice on stilts” -Bentham
• What were Mill’s Modifications?

  • Stress on the concept of happiness (“the absence of pain”)
  • quality of pleasure
  • universability
  • higher and lower pleasures (component judges)
  • justice
• Component judges

  People who have experienced higher and lower pleasures, who can judge and stand by a majority decision.
• Bentham‘s utilitarianism can also be referred to as…


  “Swine’s utilitarianism”
• What are higher and lower pleasures according to Mill?

  Higher= intellectual and social

  lower= bodily pleasures (food, sex and sleep)
• What is the main difference between act and rule utilitarianis?

  An act utilitarian works on a case-by-case basis, whereas a rule utilitarian seeks to apply general principles about what may lead to the greater good.