2.1 Utilitarianism

Question 1

Utilitarianism

Answer 1

Ethical system based on the premise that the most moral thing is to create the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

Question 2

Utility principle

Answer 2

The principle that the greatest happiness for the greatest number is the end of moral action.
This is essentially ‘act utilitarianism’ and one may need to consider whether an immediate action is going to bring about better consequences than an action in the future. E.g. if there is a choice between less happiness for the individual but greater net happiness for the community as a whole, the utilitarian must choose the latter.

Question 3

Pleasure

Answer 3

The experience of something good or joyful

Question 4

Hedonism

Answer 4

An ethical system which focusses on the wants and happiness of the individual

Question 5

Social Influence

Answer 5

The effect of change within society on a group or school of thought

Question 6

Jeremy Bentham

Answer 6

Philosopher and founder of utilitarian thinking

Question 7

John Stuart Mill

Answer 7

Philosopher who developed classical utilitarianism, creating rule utilitarianism

Question 8

Act Utilitarianism

Answer 8

• The form of utilitarianism which is purely about creating the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
• Argues that the ultimate good is pleasure or happiness.
• Human behaviour can be explained by psycological hedonism: pleasure is the sole good and pain the soul evil.
• The rightness of an action depends on how much pleasure it produces.

Question 9

Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 9

The form of utilitarianism which posits that not only should your actions create the greatest happiness for the greatest number, but also minimise pain

Question 10

Relativism

Answer 10

An approach towards ethical navigation where the moral option will change depending on the situation

Question 11

New morality

Answer 11

The social shift in the twentieth century away from traditional conservative Christian values to more liberal progressive values

Question 12

Consequentialism

Answer 12

The view that the moral value of an action lies in its consequences

Question 13

Harm Principle

Answer 13

Mill’s liberal principle that individuals should be free to do as they wish as long as they do not harm others or their interests

Question 14

Preference Utilitarianism

Answer 14

A modern version of utilitarianism which argues that an action should be judged on the extent to which it conforms to the preferences of those involved rather than the pleasure it produces

Question 15

Negative Utilitarianism

Answer 15

A form of utilitarianism that first seeks to avoid pain before seeking happiness

Question 16

Ideal Utilitarianism

Answer 16

A form of utilitarianism that takes into account intrinsic benefits like beauty or knowledge, not just pleasure

Question 17

Bentham Quote’s

Answer 17

‘Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure’

‘An action may be said to be conformable to the principle of utility when the tendency it has to augment the happiness of the community is greater than any it has to diminish it.’

Question 18

Hedonic Calculus

Answer 18

Bentham assumed that pleasure and pain were measurable