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Ethics-Utilitarianism Flashcards

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1
Q

Utilitarianism

A

The ethical idea that we should ALWAYS SEEK to ACHIEVE the GREATEST BALANCE of GOOD OVER EVIL

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2
Q

Utility

A

The idea of ‘usefulness’
That we should do whatever is USEFUL in INCREASING OVERALL GOOD and DECREASING OVERALL EVIL

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3
Q

Jeremy Bentham

A

First UTILITARIAN THINK
Interested in both what was GOOD FOR SOCIETY and what was GOOD FOR HUMANS as INDIVIDUALS.
Bentham’s MORAL THINKING starts with an OBSERVATION about HUMAN NATURE

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4
Q

Bentham on Human Nature

A

Bentham suggest that PAIN and PLEASURE are our MASTERS.
WE SEEK PLEASURE and AVOID PAIN. That is OUR NATURE
THAT IS OUR PSYCHOLOGY

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5
Q

Bentham on Utility

A

Because we are MOTIVATED BY PAIN AND PLEASURE
Bentham proposed that society should adopt the PRINCIPLE IF UTILITY-
The idea that ACTIONS should be carried out if THEY PRODUCE MORE HAPPINESS PLEASURE OR GOODNESS and are LIKELY TO PREVENT PAIN/MISERY

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6
Q

Bentham on Utility Quote

A

“ It is the GREATEST HAPPINESS of the GREATEST NUMBER that is the MEASURE OF RIGHT AND WRONG”

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7
Q

Bentham Utility of Community

A

Bentham Rejects any APPEAL to the GOOD of the COUNTRY and COMMUNITY
Communities are just the SUM OF THE INDIVIDUALS

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8
Q

Hedonic Calculus

A

A SYSTEM for WORKING OUT the amount of PLEASURE or PAIN involved in a COURSE OF ACTION

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9
Q

Hedonic Calculus Bentham

A

Bentham provides a METHOD OF CALCULATING Which COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE
He suggest that there are SEVEN FACTORS that should be TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT when making a DECISION

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10
Q

Hedonic Calculus Seven FACTORS

A

PURITY
REMOTENESS
RICHNESS
INTENSITY
CERTAINTY
EXTENT
DURATION

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11
Q

Hedonic Calculus Seven FACTORS Purity

A

How free from PAIN IS IT?

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12
Q

Hedonic Calculus Seven FACTORS Remoteness

A

How Close/ Soon will the PAIN OR PLEASURE will Come

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13
Q

Hedonic Calculus Seven FACTORS Richness

A

To what extent will it lead to FURTHER PLEASURES

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14
Q

Hedonic Calculus Seven FACTORS Intensity

A

How POWERFUL IS IT?

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15
Q

Hedonic Calculus Seven FACTORS Certainty

A

How likely is it to RESULT in PAIN OR PLEASURE

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16
Q

Hedonic Calculus Seven FACTORS Extent

A

How many people will be AFFECTED

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17
Q

Hedonic Calculus Seven FACTORS Duration

A

How long will the PLEASURE OR PAIN last ?

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18
Q

John Stuart Mill

A

English Philosopher
The Second Great Utilitarian
Keen to keep the CENTRAL IDEA of UTILITARIANISM but believes that there are ISSUES with BENTHAM’S VERSION

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19
Q

Weaknesses/Issues of Bentham’s version of Utilitarianism

A

The Focus of pleasure too NARROW-more to life that FOOD SEX and PARTIES

It leads to APPALLING CONSEQUENCES- THEORETICALLY Bentham’s version could JUSTIFY GANG RAPE

The Hedonic Calculus- can be too COMPLEX if it has to be APPLIED in each SITUATION- not QUICK to get DESCIONS

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20
Q

Mill’s Views on Utilitarianism

A

Mill SUPPORTS/ACCEPTS the PRINCIPLE of UTILITY but REJECTS Hedonic Calculus

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21
Q

Higher and Lower Pleasures -Mill

A

Mill believed that QUALITY OF PLEASURE is MORE IMPORTANT than QUANTITY.

There are CERTAIN PLEASURES that are HIGHER PLEASURES and OTHER PLEASURES that are LOWER PLEASURES

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22
Q

Mill’s Categorising Higher and Lower Pleasures

A

For Mill HIGHER PLEASURES are INTELLECTUAL and SOCIAL things HUMANS are ABLE TO EXPERIENCE

LOWER PLEASURES- Food SEX and SLEEP - are pleasure that are NOT AS IMPORTANT

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23
Q

Higher and Lower Pleasures -Mill Example

A

A pig is a CREATURE EASY TO SATISFY- does NOT CARE about the QUALITY of its FOOD

Humans are capable of GREATER PLEASURES , so even if their LIFE IS NOT BEST they would PREFER IT OVER THE LIFE A PIG

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24
Q

Act Utilitarianism

A

The Idea that we should always PERFORM the ACT that LEADS to the GREATEST BALANCE of GOOD OVER EVIL

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25
Act Utilitarians beliefs
Believe that DECISIONS should be made on Each INDIVIDUAL SITUATION or ACTION BENTHAM considered Act Utilitarian- HIS HEDONIC CALCULUS an Example of this.
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Act Utilitarianism example
There may be GREATER GOOD brought about by STEALING a LOAF of BREAD to FEED a STARVING FAMILY, But the same SHOPLIFTER would be WRONG to STEAL MAKEUP from a Wealthy individual
27
Rule Utilitarianism
The idea we should ALWAYS follow the RUKE that GENERALLY leads to the GREATEST BALANCE of GOOD OVER EVIL Aims for Balance of Good Over Evil but has the COMMON GOOD of SOCIETY as it’s STARTING POINT rather than INDIVIDUALS JOHN STUART MILL considered a RULE UTILITARIAN
28
Rule Utilitarianism Example
a RULE UTILITARIAN would maintain that I MUST ALWAYS DRIVE on the LEFT HAND SIDE of the road in the UK, even in SITUATION were it does not bring THE GREATEST PLEASURE (TRAFFIC JAMS), because that will ENSURE THE GREATEST GOOD FOR EVERYONE
29
Strong Rule Utilitarianism
Argues once we have DECIDED THE RULES that LEAD to the GREATEST GOOD. These RULES are ABSOLUTE and CANNOT in any SITUATION CIRCUMSTANCE should be BROKEN
30
Weak Rule Utilitarianism
Would Argue that EXCEPTIONS can be MADE. While the RULES do BROADLY lead to the GREATEST GOOD and should be FOLLOWED. There can be EXCEPTIONAL CASES that require a RULE to be BROKEN
31
Strengths of Act Utilitarinism
Allows FLEXIBILITY to the SITUATION Focuses on the INDIVIDUAL
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Weaknesses of Act Utilitarinism
Takes a CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME to WEIGH UP all COMPLEX FACTORS of the SITUATION
33
Strengths of Rule Utilitarianism
Offers a much QUICKER APPROACH in DECISION -MAKING Allows us to make RULES that UPHOLD JUSTICE and RIGHTS
34
Weaknesses of Rule Utilitarianism
Can be an INCOHERENT position With WEAK RULE UTILITARIANISM Collapsing into ACT UTILITARIANISM-due to them ENABLING EXCEPTIONS
35
Applying Utilitarianism- Dying Billionaire- Louis Pojman
If a BILLIONAIRE was Dying and Requested for his MONEY to go to his FAVOURITE SPORTS TEAM. But YOU have the OPTION of GIVING it to CHARITY to Save 1000 STARVING CHILDREN: UTILITARIANISM would say Give to CHARITY put ASIDE YOUR PERSONAL HAPPINESS
36
Mcklosey Sheriff Example
A sheriff CHOOSES to ARREST an INNOCENT MAN for the GREATER GOOD of the COMMUNITY ACT UTILITARIAN: Alllowed RULE UTILITARIAN : Disallowed UNJUST ACTS WOULD UNDERMINE JUSTICE
37
Apply in Utilitarianism- Euthanasia
Supports the RIGHT of INDIVIDUALS to END THEIR LIVES by EUTHANASIA UTILITARIANISM favours QUALITY OF LIFE OVER SANCTITY OF LIFE
38
Strengths of Utilitarianism -Impartiality
Require that we are OBJECTIVE and that we do NOT resolve ETHICAL DILEMMAS by HAVING FAVOURITES or PERSONAL BIAS
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Strengths of Utilitarianism Secular
Does NOT RESORT TO RELIGION to JUSTIFY how we SHOULD ACT Makes it MORE ATTRACTIVE for a more SECULAR AGE
40
Strengths of Utilitarianism -Maximising Happiness is a good Aim
It would UNCONVENTIONAL to ARGUE that we should NOT value HAPPINESS or That we should do things that CAUSE MORE UNHAPPINESS
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Strengths of Utilitarianism -Straightforward theory
Not DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND or APPLY Offers a Decision PROCEDURE that enables MORAL DILEMMAS to be SOLVED
42
Strengths of Utilitarianism -Progressive
Challenges OUT OF DATE IDEAS with its PROGRESSIVE MORALITY (Banning of Gays and Wonens Rights ) have been at the forefront of ideas CHALLENGED by Utilitarians
43
Strengths of Utilitarianism -Democratic
Everyone’s HAPPINESS is taken into ACCOUNT and EACH PERSON counts as ONE in DECISION MAKING NO EXEMPTIONS
44
Criticism of Utilitarianism -Clarity of Measure
It is not CLEAR how we are to MEASURE PLEASURE and PAIN What pleasure is greater Eating Chocolate Or eating Celery?
45
Criticism of Utilitarianism -The Problem of Minority
Though in general REGARDS PEOPLE as EQUAL . there is a POTENTIAL PROBLEM for the MINORITY GROUP E.G if the MAJORITY of SOCIETY has HOMOPHOBIC VIEWS-what should stop the m from SUGGESTING HOMOSEXUALITY is HARMFUL
46
Criticism of Utilitarianism -The Swine Ethic Problem
Bentham’s Utilitarianism theoretically seems to PERMIT HORRORS such as GANG RAPE There are NO ABSOLUTE BOUNDARIES and HORRIFIC ACTS can be PERMITTED in THEORY
47
Criticism of Utilitarianism -Pleasure and Pain Subjective
DEPENDENT on the INDIVIDUAL People can have DIFFERENT VIEWS on what LEADS TO HAPPINESS
48
Criticism of Utilitarianism -Require Future Predictions
In Order toESTABLISH GREATER GOOD, we have e to PREDICT FUTURE CONSEQUENCES Yet the FUTURE is NOT ALWAYS CLEAR E.G the Baby we SAVE may be come EVIL DICTATOR
49
Criticism of Utilitarianism -Pleasure not only Goods
Utilitarianism ASSUMES that PLEASURE OR HAPPUNESSS is the ULTIMATE HOOD There are OTHER VIEWS on what GOODNESS is -OBEDIENCE to GOD’s COMMANDS DEVELOPMENT OF GOOD CHARACTER TRAITS
50
Developing Arguments Critic of Utilitarianism -Too Demanding
The theory DEMANDS that we CARE for EVERYONE EQUALLY and do not PRIORITISE our OWN FAMILY when RESCUING PPL FROM BUILDING on FIRE Can never rest without ABOUT HELPING SOMEONE
51
Developing Arguments Critic of Utilitarianism -Too Demanding Counter
Can Be argued that a RULE ABOUT OVERALL HAPPINESS might involve a BALANCED LIFE If everyone was CONSTANTLY GIVING and becoming EXHAUSTED FROM IT the WORLD’S HAPPINESS would DECREASE
52
Developing Arguments Critic of Utilitarianism - Moral Agency Bernard Williams ‘Jim and the Indians’
Williams gives Example if you are in a town where TEN INNOCENT PRISONERS are about to be KILLED But the SHERIFF suggest he will RELEASE ALL if you Kill One Utilitarianism would say KILL the ONE MAN instead of NINE However Williams argues Utilitarianism IGNORES ‘the PROBLEM OF MORAL AGENCY’ how will FEEL WITH OURSELVES AFTER the ACT UTILITARIANISM IGNORES Our INTEGRITY
53
Developing Arguments Critic of Utilitarianism - Moral Agency Bernard Williams ‘Jim and the Indians’ Counter
Can be argued that have to be BRAVE and CARRY OUT the ACT that is the LESSER of TWO EVILS We are NOT JUSR RESPONSIBLE for our ACTIONS but Also are OMISSIONS If we VALUE OUR INTEGRITY over the LIVES and HAPPINESS OF OTHERS It’s HARD to ARGUE WE ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING
54
Developing Arguments Critic of Utilitarianism - No Value for Justice Mcklosey example
Does Not Value Justice- The SHERIFF EXAMPLE of framing INNOCENT for ‘GREATER GOOD’ Show Utilitarians do NOT VALUE HUMAN RIGHTS .
55
Developing Arguments Critic of Utilitarianism - No Value for Justice Mcklosey example-Counter
It can be argued that THOUGH RIGHTS may Have a VALUE It makes SOCIETY BETTER to ASSUME RIGHTS UNCONVINCING as Utilitarians will ABANDON THESE RIGHTS if the SITUATION REQUIRES IT
56
Peter Singer
Modern Utilitarianism Founder of Preference Utilitarianism
57
Preference Urilitarinsim
Argues that PEOPLE should be ALLOWED to PURSUE their PREFERENCES as long as it DOES NOT INTERFERE with ANYONE’S PURUIT of HAPPINESS
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Manifest and True Preferences Peter Singer
Singer argues individual preferences relate to the need for a good life This stems from a DESIRE INBUILT IN SOCIETY MANIFEST AND TRUE PREFERENCES
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Manifest Preferences
what YOU prefer based on IMMEDIATE desires and needs
60
True Preferences
based on REFLECTING on all the information KNOWN and on the LIKELY CONSEQUENCES
61
Trade-offs Singer
Singer believes that SOCIETY is made up of a COLLECTION OF INDIVIDUALS each with their OWN PREFERENCES Trade-offs have to be made for the GENERAL WELFARE SOME PREFERENCES have to be REJECTED or DEFERRED so that the GENERAL GOOD is MAINTAINED

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