Utilitarianism

Seite 1

Teleological

Relativist

Jerermy Bentham

-staunch atheist and legal reformer

Three part theory

- The motivation of humans

-The principle of Utility

-The Hedonic calculus

Hedonism - seeking pleasure

Motivation of humans

"Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure."

"The only good is pleasure, the only evil is pain"

Principle of Utility

Benthams belief that the right course of action is the one that brings the most pleasure to the most people.

Hedonic Calculus

-Used to quantify the pleasure/pain balance, resulting from any action (ACT utilitarianism focuses upon the action itself)

Puritiy - pain mixed with pleasure

Remoteness - how far in time and space

Extent - how widespread it is

Duration - how long it will last

Intensitiy - how strong it is

Certaintity - how probable it is

The Richness - is it continuous

Strengths of Benthams Util

- Provides a clear mathematical method of deciding any course of action - making it easy to compare differing actions

- Naturally people do seek pleasure and avoid pain in everyday situations

-It is teleological so it focuses on the consequences that will effect people long term

-Accessible to everyone, regardless of upbringing, religion, ect , as it uses common sense

Weaknesses of Benthams Util

-It's emphasis on pleasure is little more than simple animal instincts eg sex, food, drink - Mill

- Bentham does not distinguish different sorts of pleasure, or rank them in any order - therefore it can be difficult to make a clear decision based on the Hedonic calculus

-Pleasure is not the same for everyone, and is difficult to measure accurately

- The Hedonic calculus is not practical in situations that require a quick decision

- Due to the 'greatest number of people' minorities are ignored

John Stuart Mill

Quanity isn't everything, we must consider quality. As Humans we are capable of a higher pleasure. Unlike animals we are not restricted to instincts.

"It is better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied. It is better to be a Socrates unsatisfied than a fool satisfied. "

Mill rejected the Hedonic calculus as he believed that

-Higher pleasures satisfy the mind

-Lower pleasures satisfy the body

and this distinguishes humans from animals.

Mill admired Bentham, and also believed in the principle of Utility. Bentham has said ti was not possible to prove, but Mill showed it was.

-Happiness is a desirable state of affairs

-Happiness is the only desirable thing. Either things only seem desirable because they lead to happiness

-The general happiness of all is desirable

ACT

Benthams Utilitarianism judged every situation individually and in isolation from the community. In every case he asked what action would bring the greatest good. This means every action is judged on its own merits and individual circumstances taken into consideration - making it flexiable but time consuming.

ACT >apply to specific case > decide general rule

RULE

Mill tried to define Util in a way that made it practibleto use when creating rules for a society. Mill believed a society had to have general rules arrived at by Util reasoning in order to operate. These needed to be generally agreed and accepted for a society to operate. His example was it is necessary to tell the truth because that leads to the greatest happiness of the greatest number.

RULE > agree to general rule > apply to specific case

PREFERENCE

Peter Singer - Moral actions are right or wrong according to how they fit the preferences of those included. Our own preferences cannot count for more than anothers.

-Minimising pain over increasing pleasure

-What is in the best interest of the greatest number

This approach is like a pair of scales, the interests of all must be weighted

Fixes the issue of Util of the Minority being ignored!

Bentham

Mill

Act, Rule, Preference