Ethics: (1) Utilitarianism

Question 1

What is the general theory of hedonistic Utilitarianism? (act+rule)

Answer 1

We should do whatever leads to the greatest good for the greatest number.

Question 2

What type of theory is Utilitarianism?

Answer 2

Teleological/Consequentialist, as it discusses the end result of actions, not the actions in of themselves.

Question 3

Is Utilitarianism secular?

Answer 3

Yes; it denotes that religion is wholly irrelevant in decision making.

Question 4

Who founded Utilitarianism and Act Utilitarianism?

Answer 4

Jeremy Bentham

Question 5

Who revised Utilitarianism and created Rule Utilitarianism?

Answer 5

John Stuart Mill.

Question 6

Is Utilitarianism a relativist argument?

Answer 6

Yes; but only Act, as it it contextual to each situation.

Question 7

What is the Hedonic Calculus?

Answer 7

A method to calculate the benefit or harm of an act through its consequences.

Question 8

What are some common criticisms with the Hedonic Calculus?

Answer 8

You cannot measure pleasure.
It is too clunky and slow to use.

Question 9

What is Rule Utilitarianism?

Answer 9

That we should follow accepted laws that lead to the greatest balance of good over evil.

Question 10

What is Preference Utilitarianism?

Answer 10

We should choose the action that fulfills the greatest amount of interests.

Question 11

What is the difference between Preference Utilitarianism and Hedonic Utilitarianism (act and rule)?

Answer 11

Preference is not value-monist (doesn’t condense every belief into a general “happiness”) and is non-hedonic (not concerned with happiness).

Question 12

What are some advantages of Act Utilitarianism?

Answer 12

Flexible
Applicable to any scenario
Democratic Morality
Priorities welfare
Considers context of each scenario
Impartial
Pragmatic (based on fact)
Progressive and secular

Question 13

What are some disadvantages of Act Utilitarianism?

Answer 13

Has the potential to condone evil acts (tyranny of majority)
Those in minority usually suffer
Demanding on someone’s moral conscience
Impossible to please everyone
Ignores individual rights
Can’t foresee outcome
Pleasure/Pain is subjective

Question 14

What are some advantages of Rule Utilitarianism?

Answer 14

Non-Relativist; emotions do not cloud judgement.
Applicable to any scenario
Promotes welfare
Does not use hedonic calculus
Pragmatic (based on facts)
Impartiality
Progressive and secular

Question 15

What are some disadvantages of Rule Utilitarianism?

Answer 15

Ignores individual rights
Impossible to please everyone
Those in minority usually suffer
Can’t foretell outcome
Minority usually suffer
Inflexible
Weak rule utilitarianism is essentially act utilitarianism.
Pleasure/pain are subjective

Question 16

What is John Stuart Mills “Harm Principle”?

Answer 16

A persons liberties should only be restricted if they harm others.

Question 17

What is the Trolley Problem?

Answer 17

Coined by Philippa Foot, a trolly has the choice to kill 5 or 1 persons, usually a counter argument to Utilitarianism.

Question 18

What is the Swine Principle?

Answer 18

Associated with John Stuart Mill and Rule Utilitarianism, it categorises pleasures into higher or lower.

Question 19

What are John Stuart Mills two types of pleasures?

Answer 19

Physical and Intellectual. Intellectual are worth more but physical should be prioritised.

Question 20

What did David Hume believe on the topic of utilitarianism?

Answer 20

He agreed that morally right actions are those that create immediately useful or pleasing consequences for ourselves and others.

Question 21

Who was Jeremy Bentham?

Answer 21

Founded Act Utilitarianism. Child genius and social reformer.

Question 22

Who was John Stuart Mill?

Answer 22

Founded Rule Utilitarianism and social reformer.

Question 23

What is Utility?

Answer 23

The belief that an action should be valued based on its “utility” (usefulness).

Question 24

What is Bernard Williams example of Jim and Indians?

Answer 24

Jim finds a town full of prisoners. He is offered to kill one and save 9 or do nothing and let them all die. A Utilitarian would argue to save the 9, but this introduces the problem of moral agency, would we be able to live with ourselves afterwards?

Question 25

What is the example of the sheriff and tramp?

Answer 25

A sheriff frames a tramp that no one really cares about as it will stop the town going into unrest after a murder. This shows the flaws of utilitarianism; it does not value justice.

Question 26

Are Act and Rule Utilitarianism Objective or Subjective?

Answer 26

Act is generally considered subjective, whilst Rule is considered subjective.

Question 27

What is Hedonism?

Answer 27

A philosophical view seeing happiness as the ultimate good in human existence.

Question 28

Who founded Hedonism?

Answer 28

Epicurus.

Question 29

What are the seven parts of the hedonic calculus (hint: acronym PRRICED)

Answer 29

Purity Remoteness Richness Intensity Certainty Extent Duration

Question 30

What is the principle of utility?

Answer 30

Bentham’s principle on what makes an action have utility (usefulness). “Greatest happiness for greatest number”.

Question 31

What did Bertrand Russell admire about utilitarianism?

Answer 31

That it was egalitarian, and noted that it “embodies the spirit of scientific impartiality” and encourages “rational moral deliberation”.

Question 32

In what real-world scenario is utilitarianism utilised?

Answer 32

In triage situations where resources must be allocated to maximise patient outcomes.

Question 33

Does Utilitarianism favour the empiricist?

Answer 33

Yes; as utilitarianism’s pragmatic nature aligns with the epistemological beliefs of empiricism.

Question 34

What is Strong Utilitarianism?

Answer 34

A utilitarian would stick to their guns no matter what. Richard Brandt supports this approach. Basically rule utilitarianism.

Question 35

What is weak utilitarianism?

Answer 35

John Stuart Mill suggests we bend the rules of utilitarianism in case of conflicting decisions, and we appeal directly to the Principle Of Utility.

Question 36

What key role did John Stuart Mills “Harm Principle” play in the legislation of?

Answer 36

Gay rights.

Question 37

What did Jeremy Bentham controversially believe to be okay?

Answer 37

Pederasty - An older man having a sexual relationship with a young boy.

Question 38

What is act utilitarianism?

Answer 38

We should calculate the good and bad and then choose the action that causes greatest pleasure for greatest amount.

Question 39

What did Philippa Foot state on utilitarianism?

Answer 39

It failed to respect the “moral distinction between doing harm and allowing harm”.