Negative Utilitarianism

Question 1

What is negative utilitarianism?

Answer 1

A philosophy which seeks only to reduce the amount of suffering in the world

Question 2

Name a prominent contemporary negative utilitarian

Answer 2

David Pearce

Question 3

What is an odd consequence of adopting this view?

Answer 3

It makes you think it would be morally better if the world simply did not exist

Question 4

What do negative utilitarians seek to do?

Answer 4

Bring to end the things in the world which cause misery to sentient beings

Question 5

What is a sentient being

Answer 5

Something that can feel pleasure and pain

Question 6

List the strengths of negative utilitarianism

Answer 6

• there are more ways to do harm than good so the focus should be on removing harm
  ,- some would rather ensure against pain before pursuing happiness

Question 7

List the weaknesses of negative utilitarianism

Answer 7

• it’s logical conclusion that the most moral thing would be the painless death of mankind.
• does not recognise the value of suffering for building character, encouraging compassion or creating meaning
• vulnerable to experience machine objections: if the aim is just to avoid pain, does it matter if we are just brauns in vats?