Utilitarianism Overview

teleological theory
1. looks at results/consequences when considering morality
consequentialist
1. an action is right or wrong dependent on its consequences
Act Utilitarianism
1. Jeremy Bentham
  1. empirical observation
    1. believed that theories should be supported by evidence
  2. scientific
    1. believed the study of ethics should be undertaken in a practical way
  3. his theories led to extensive social reform
    1. changes to criminal justice, jury system, prison, saving banks and cheap postage
2. Hedonic Calculus
  1. amount of pain & pleasure
    1. all pain & pleasure is equal
3. all people considered
4. each action is judged individually
5. hedonistic
Principle of utility
1. greatest happiness for the greatest number
Rule Utilitarianism
1. rule is devised and then followed in a specific case
2. higher and lower pleasures
  1. quality over quantity
3. John Stuart Mill
Preference Utilitarianism
1. should satisfy people's preferences rather than maximise pleasure
  1. e.g) dying wishes
2. Peter Singer

Resource summary

	Created by Summer Pearce over 8 years ago