Utilitarism

Question 1

Utilitarism

Answer 1

Argues what is ‘good’ within the promotion of human pleasure. Human behaviour can be explained by Psychological hendoism (pleasure is the soul good and pain is soul evil)

Question 2

Consequentialism

Answer 2

The idea that moral value of an action lies in its consequences.

Question 3

The principle of Utility

Answer 3

The principle of Utility is that an action ought to be performed only if it brings out the maximum possible happiness for those affected

Question 4

Positive factors of Utility

Answer 4

• Practical approach, focuses on real-world outcomes
• Adaptable, can adapt to certain situations
• Impartiality, everyones happiness is equally valued

Question 5

Consequentialism

Answer 5

• the idea that moral value of an action lies in its consequences, an action is judged to be good if it brings out beneficial consequences irrespective of the intention behind it

Question 6

Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 6

• variant of utilitarianism based on a set of rules using the principle of utility in order to give a framework for moral decision making

Question 7

Strengths of Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 7

• practical application in society
• protects individual rights and justice
• consistency and predictability

Question 8

Weaknesses of Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 8

• rigid structure/rules
• conflicting rules
• difficulty in determining beneficial rules

Question 9

Preference Utilitarianism

Answer 9

• modern version of utilitarianism that argues you should take into account the preferences of an individual before making a decision

Question 10

The Hedonic Calculus

Answer 10

• Developed by Jeremy Bentham, assumed it could be used to measure pleasure and pain
• the aspects were; intensity, pleasure, certain/uncertainty, propinquity/remoteness, fecundity, purity, extent

Question 11

Strengths of Act Utilitarianism

Answer 11

• flexibility
• focus on maximising happiness
• simplicity and practicality

Question 12

Weaknesses Of Act Utilitarianism

Answer 12

• inconsistency and subjectivity
• potentially can justify harmful actions
• overwhelming demands

Question 13

Mills Utilitarianism

Answer 13

• Inspired by Bentham’s, Mill argued that pleasure is the sole good and the promotion of pleasure over pain should determine our moral actions
• developed rule utilitarianism; based on a set of rules using the principle of utility to maximise moral decision making

Question 14

Ideal Utilitarianism

Answer 14

• Proposed by G.E Moore, its concerned with maximising the good, but it differs in its view of what ‘good’ is. It takes into account intrinsic beliefs like beauty and knowledge, not just pleasure

Question 15

Negative Utilitarianism

Answer 15

• Developed by Karl Popper; utilitarianism that seeks to avoid pain before seeking happiness.