what is the principle of utility?
the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people
who came up with act utilitarianism?
Jeremy Bentham
what did Bentham think of pleasure?
the theory that people are motivated by pleasure and so we pursue pleasure and avoid pain which linked to the theory of hedonism
what is hedonism?
the theory that pleasure defines what is right, happiness is sovereign good
what is the hedonic calculus?
the 7 different elements that should be taken into account when calculating amount of happiness
what are the elements on the hedonic calculus?
- intensity-the stronger the better, rush of instant happiness
- duration-the longer lasting the better
- certainty-the more sure that pleasure will result the better
- extent-the more people who experience it the better
- propinquity-the nearer the pleasure is to you
- richness-the chance the pleasure will be repeated or result in other pleasures
- purity-the least amount of pain it involves the better
was there an order to pleasures for Bentham?
NO all pleasures are of equal value
why is utilitarianism teleological?
it consider the end goal, also consequentialist as it considers the consequences
what is Act utilitarianism?
associated with Bentham and his use of the hedonic calculus. the calculus should be applied to each different and individual situation to decide the greatest outcome
why is act utilitarianism relativist?
because it has no real set of moral rules
who is associated with Rule utilitarianism?
John stewart mill
what did mill base rule utilitarianism on?
focused on not amount of pain or pleasure by the quality of it as he distinguished between quantity of pleasure and quality of pleasure, as then mortal development can be given its true value
what is the difference between higher and lower pleasures?
higher pleasures are ones that stimulate the mind and lower pleasures are ones that are physical pleasures
e.g reading philosophy is far superior to eating a feast
what quote relates to higher and lower pleasures?
“better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied”- JSM
what is the harm principle?
this was to restrict the powers of individuals so their actions would not cause the need for self protection by other individuals
what is rule utilitarianism?
by using the utility principle we can draw up moral rules which if conformed to would create the greatest happiness
what is strong rule utilitarianism?
an action is only right if it follows the rules and the rules should never be disobeyed. these rules are universal and would maximise happiness in any situation
what is weak rule utilitarianism?
in extreme cases where a rule needs to be broken in order to achieve the greatest happiness, it is allowed.
what are the criticisms of act utilitarianism?
- its not clear how the hedonic calculus relsocves problem of quantity of pleasure, how can you compare intensity with duration
- the hedonic calculus doesn’t rank aspects of pleasure and is open to abuse and can justify anything e.g appears to justify gang rape
- is difficult to apply 7 criteria for every different situation
what are the strengths of act utilitarianism?
- clear method in the application of the hedonic calculus
* it is amorally democratic approach as it seeks the fairest result
what are the weaknesses of rule utilitarianism?
- who decides what’s a higher pleasure and a lower pleasure
- system could be considered too complicated to calculate higher and lower and so is impractical
- strong rule can see to be too inflexible and not account for freedoms
what are the strengths of rule utilitarianism?
- it is more intelligent approach which considers quality of pleasure
- it is based on tested experience in society and DOESN’T provide an unpredictable outcome
- the harm principle works towards safeguarding rights against inconsistencies of act utilitarianism
what are the overall criticisms of Utilitarianism?
that could promote immoral behaviour, as happiness is subjective and one person could be brought pleasure by something like murder
and act utilitarianism can justify torture or death of innocent person as long as it fulfilled utility principle
