Ethics - Utilitarianism

Question 1

What is utilitarianism?

Answer 1

Utilitarianism is a consequentialist ethical theory which argues that it is what causes the greatest happiness for the greatest number which is most ethical.

Question 2

How does utilitarianism differ from hedonism?

Answer 2

It differs from hedonism, as unlike hedonism, it does not focus merely on the pleasure of the self, being more than just self-indulgence.

Question 3

What is a typical objection to utilitarianism and how is it refuted?

Answer 3

A typical objection is to point out how we cannot know the consequences of an action, having to only rely on predictions, however, relying merely on the consequences of an action allows people to act in accordance to the situation and avoids the problems of deontology (legalism and double-effect[natural law]) and duty- based ethics (conflicting duties).

Question 4

What is the difference between happiness and pleasure?

Answer 4

Both are typically desired by people, but they are distinct things that can get missed up. Pleasure is the nice/good/enjoyable sensation that you merely feel, while happiness is a state of mind, far broader than pleasure, which is just feeling good.

Question 5

What is act utilitarianism?

Answer 5

Act utilitarianism specifically focuses on the pleasure and pain resulting from each individual act, as argued by Jeremy Bentham.

Question 6

What does Bentham think naturally motivates humanity?

Answer 6

Pleasure and pain.

Question 7

What is Bentham’s principle of utility?

Answer 7

Bentham’s principle of utility argues that because something is pleasurable/causes happiness, it is good and useful.

Question 8

What is the Hedonic Calculus?

Answer 8

Bentham’s way of mathematically calculating the pleasure which results from an action.

Question 9

What aspects of pleasure are ‘measured’ by the hedonic calculus?

Answer 9

• Purity – how likely the pleasure will lead to pain,
• Intensity – how strong the pleasure is,
• Certainty – how likely the pleasure is to occur,
• Extent – the number of people affected,
• Duration – how long the pleasure lasts,
• Fecundity/Repeatability – how likely the pleasure will lead to more pleasure,
• Propinquity/Remoteness – how soon the pleasure will occur,

Question 10

What is the strongest objection to Bentham’s act utilitarianism?

Answer 10

Bentham believed that rules should not be dictated by a sovereign, and that rules were not the focus of his philosophy, he focused on individual actions on a situation-by-situation level. This, combined with his rejection of concepts like human rights, makes Bentham’s act utilitarianism capable of claiming that obviously immoral actions are in fact moral, because there are more people are getting pleasure from them.

Question 11

What is the swine ethic objection to act utilitarianism?

Answer 11

Bentham’s act utilitarianism treats all life the exact same, as it argues that all pleasure is good and equally valued, therefore, the pleasure of pigs is equally moral to that of humans. This treats pigs as equal to humans and vice versa, which is not a popular sentiment.

Question 12

What is rule utilitarianism?

Answer 12

Rule utilitarianism is John Stuart Mills’ conception of utilitarianism which argues that it is maximising happiness, not pleasure, which makes and action moral. Additionally, he posits that calculating each individual action’s moral value is too time consuming and that we should instead make rules that we can apply to applicable situations and leave any calculations to difficult scenarios, so that day-to-day life is simpler. We should aim to follow these rules in society, as they are made to ensure as many people can be happy as possible, but you are free to do whatever makes you happy, as long as it doesn’t make reduce anyone else’s happiness.

Question 13

What is the No Harm Principle?

Answer 13

,The idea that you should be free to do what you want so long as you do not harm others. Thus, rules made by utilitarianism should be there to prevent harm from being caused / reaching people.

Question 14

What are higher pleasures?

Answer 14

Pleasures of the mind, such as:
- Meditating,
- Learning,
- Art (of all forms),
- Synthesising knowledge,
- Socialising.

Question 15

What are lower pleasures?

Answer 15

Pleasures of the body, such as:
- Food,
- Drinks,
- Drugs,
- Exercise,
- Warmth.

Question 16

How does Mill avoid the strongest objection to Bentham’s utilitarianism?

Answer 16

Unlike Bentham, Mill was supportive of rules, including human rights, especially those which protect a minority from the ‘tyranny of the majority’, which in Bentham’s ethics is the inevitable result of deciding whether actions are moral by merely calculating the pleasure that results from it.

Question 17

What is strong rule utilitarianism?

Answer 17

Utilitarianism where all ethical rules decided upon to maximise happiness must never be broken in any circumstance, as they must lead to the greatest good in all circumstances

Question 18

What is weak rule utilitarianism?

Answer 18

Utilitarianism where rules must be followed in most cases, but breaking them in exceptional circumstances is allowed, the rules must broadly lead to ethical good in most situations.

Question 19

What is preference utilitarianism?

Answer 19

Preference utilitarianism is Peter Singer’s conception of utilitarianism, building on from that of RM. Hare. He posits that because different people have different ideas on what happiness is, we must in fact consider their preferences in order to truly achieve the greatest happiness (and thus good) in a situation. According to this theory, people should be allowed to purse their interests (preferences) so long as this pursuit does not hinder that of anyone else.`

Question 20

What is Hare’s view of utilitarianism?

Answer 20

Hare’s view of utilitarianism is that the utilitarian should consider the desires of others as well as their own when considering what is right and wrong, the greatest good for the greatest number, but instead of it being one person’s conception of it, it is one which considers the views of others. People’s preferences can be long or short term. Ultimately, you must consider the preferences of others if you wish to avoid being an ethical egoist, at least according to Hare.

Question 21

Why does Singer think we should account for other people’s preferences?

Answer 21

Because people have differing views on what happiness means to them, as well having differing aims in life and considering differing things as important.