Criticisms of rule and act utilitarianism

Question 1

Whats the main probelm with act utilitarianism?

Answer 1

Potential that a person can justify anything e.g. Killing and harvesting organs from some to save 5 people.

Question 2

Does act utilitarianism defend minorities?

Answer 2

No. There is no defence for minorities, everyhting is for the many not the few.

Question 3

General criticisms of act utilitarianism?

Answer 3

-There is a difficulty in defining pleasure.

-It is difficult to predict the consequences of some things; you may predict wrong.

Question 4

Main criticism of weak rule utilitarianism?

Answer 4

Weak rule utilitarian’s say rules should be generally accepted, but there maybe times when it is better to break a rule.

Question 5

Main criticism of strong rule utilitarianism?

Answer 5

Strong rule utilitarian’s say rules should always be obeyed, although there maybe some cases whereby rules must not be followed e.g. the Holocaust.

Question 6

Relative= ?

Answer 6

What is right or wrong

Question 7

Deontological= ?

Answer 7

Rules take priority

Question 8

General criticisms of strong rule utilitarianism= ?

Answer 8

-Rules should be formed using utilitarian principles for the benefit of society, however sometimes they aren’t beneficial to society at all.

-These rules will generally be right in most circumstances; telling the truth, keeping promises etc. However these rules can and have been wrong in the past.

-You cannot have a society which doesn’t protect the minority.