Flashcards
Utilitarianism
Cards in this deck (31)
- 1What are Jeremy Bentham's Dates?1748-1832
- 2What are J.S. Mill's Dates?1806-1873
- 3What are Peter Singer's dates?1946-
- 4What is the Principle of Utility?Actions are only right if they promote happiness or pleasure
- 5What must you reduce, before you increase pleasure?Pain
- 6What is Act Utilitarianism?You look at each particular situation individually and use the Hedonic Calculus to work out what will be the most useful and 'good' outcome
Principle of Utility is applied to each situation - 7In act utilitarianism, are actions a means to an end, or an end in themselves?A means to an end
- 8Give three weaknesses of UtilitarianismNo defence for minorities
Potential to justify any act
Difficult to predict consequences
Difficult to define pleasure - subjective
Impractical to calculate every action - 9Jeremy Bentham was QUANTITATIVE, what does this mean?It means that the AMOUNT of pleasure outweighs the QUALITY of the pleasure
- 10Give Three Strengths of UtilitarianismAccessible to anyone as it does not rely on a particular deity
Straightforward and simple way to give people a moral guide
Can maximize the overall utility by maximizing the utility of each individual action
It allows moral rules to change and adapt from age to age and situation - 11What is the Hedonic Calculus?A set of 7 questions that helps people workout how useful (i.e. how much pleasure or goodness) an action is
- 12What does the Hedonic Calculus ask? (the seven questions)Intensity
Duration
Certainty
Propinquity
Probability pleasure will lead to other pleasures
Purity
Extent - 13What is Hedonism?The idea that 'good' is
defined in terms of pleasure
and happiness. - 14Is Utilitarianism teleological or deontological, and why?It's teleological because it takes into consideration the outcome to determine goodness.
- 15What is Rule Utilitarianism?Rules should be formed using utilitarian principles for the benefit of society.
Enables us to establish rules which will promote happiness - 16How do you apply rule utilitarianism?When you have a moral dilemma, you apply the situation to a general rule and this will help you make the right choice
- 17What is the difference between strong and weak rule utilitarianism?Strong rule utilitarians believe the rules based on happiness should never be disobeyed
Weak rule utilitarians say they should be a rule of thumb, but if the right thing to do calls to break the rule of thumb, you must - 18What are three strengths of Rule Utilitarianism?Establishes universal standards that can be followed by all, providing clear guidance
Rules help to get over some of the problems of Act Utilitarianism, particularly the rights of the minority.
It overcomes W.D. Ross' objection that Act Utilitarianism is counterintuitive - 19What are three weaknesses of Rule Utilitarianism?WD Ross - "Single-factor" moral theories don't work because life is too complex - emotions (prima facies) must be taken into consideration
Elitist theory
Difficult to predict consequences - 20What did J.S. Mill stress rather than pleasure?Happiness
- 21J.S. Mill was QUALITATIVE, what does this mean?It means that it's not about the QUANTITY of pleasure, but the QUALITY of pleasure
- 22When J.S. Mill said "It is better to be socrates dissatisfied, than a fool satisfied", what did he mean?He meant that it is better to be intelligent (have higher pleasures) and be a little unhappy, then be concerned with physical pleasures rather than mental pleasures and be happy
- 23Bentham or Mill? "The greatest good (pleasure) for the greatest number"Bentham
- 24Bentham or Mill? Would protect the common good, focused on univerabilityMill
- 25Bentham or Mill? "The greatest happiness for the greatest number"Mill
- 26Bentham or Mill? QuantitiveBentham
- 27What is Preference Utilitarianism?Judges moral actions according to whether
they fit in with the preferences of the
individuals involved - 28Who are the three philosophers mainly associated with preference utilitarianism?Richard Brandt
R.M. Hare
Peter Singer - 29According to preference utilitarianism, what is goodness?Goodness = maximizing preferences
and interests of all - 30What are three weaknesses of Utilitarianism?Ignores the importance of duty
Difficult to predict outcomes
Can be used against minorities to create the greatest happiness - 31What are three strengths of Utilitarianism?Straight forward and based on the single principle of minimising pain and maximising pleasure and happiness
Consequentialist
Logical
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- Description
- Flashcards on Act, Rule and Preference utilitarianism
- Created by
- Alexa Smith · Dec 2015
- Updated
- Jan 14, 2017
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