Utilitarianisim

Utilitarianisim

1. ACT UTILITARIANISM

   • JEREMY BENTHAM
     • Began theory of Utilitarianism to work out how good/bad the consequences of an action would be.
       • Principle of Utility = theory of usefulness - 'the greatest good for the greatest number'.
         • Theory is quantitative (focuses on the majority).
     • Moral acts should maximise pleasure and minimise pain. Happiness = pleasure minus pain.
   • HEDONIC CALCULUS = a way of 'measuring' the consequences of an action/the pleasure it would bring. Had 7 elements:
     • INTENSITY of pleasure.
     • DURATION of pleasure.
     • CERTAINTY of pleasure.
     • EXTENT of pleasure.
     • PROPINQUITY of pleasure (how near/far).
     • PURITY of pleasure.
     • FECUNDITY of pleasure (how continuous).
   • WEAKNESSES
     • Difficult to predict consequences.
     • Can potentially justify any act.
     • Difficult to define pleasure.
     • Doesn't protect the minority.

2. RULE UTILITARIANISM

   • JOHN STUART MILL
     • Greatest Happiness Principle = actions are right if they promote happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure and the absence of pain.
     • Theory is qualitative as it focuses on the quality of the pleasure.
       • Intellectual, spiritual and cultural pleasures are better than physical ones.
         • 'Beter to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied'.
   • Establishing general rules that follow utilitarian principles.
     • Should produce the greatest happiness if followed universally.
   • WEAKNESSES
     • Difficult to predict consequences.
     • Invoking rules means it becomes deontological.

3. PREFERENCE UTILITARIANISM

   • Moral actions are right according to how they fit the preferences involved.
   • R.M.HARE
     • Need to consider own preference and that of others.
     • 'Equal preferences count equally, whatever their content.'
     • Should 'stand in someone else's shoes'.
     • Treat everyone impartially.
   • PETER SINGER
     • Should take the viewpoint of an IMPARTIAL SPECTATOR,
       • 'Our own preferences cannot count any more than the preferences of others'.
     • Best possible consequences = what's in the best interest of those involved.

4. Teleological approach - moral actions are right/wrong according to their outcome.

5. Consequentialist theory - someone decides whether actions are good/bad by their consequences.

6. Hedonistic theory as 'good' is defined in terms of happiness and pleasure.

7. STRENGTHS

   • Straightforward - based on single principle of minimising pain/maximising pleasure.
   • Promotes the well-being of the greatest number.
   • Applicable in real life situations.
   • Seems natural to follow - natural to weigh up consequences.

8. WEAKNESSES

   • Doesn't protect the minority.
   • Can advocate justice.
   • Difficult to predict consequences.
   • People define 'pleasure' and 'happiness' in different ways.