Key Concepts of Utilitarianism

Question 1

Three key concepts

Answer 1

1. Consequentialist
2. Relativist
3. Instrumental

Question 2

Consequentialist

Answer 2

Utilitarianism places ethical judgement on whether an action leads to the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. It is concerned with the outcome, not the will or intention of the moral agent.

Question 3

Relativist

Answer 3

Utilitarianism believes what it is right will depend on the situation. Sometimes an action will be right but at other times it will not be - it all depends on whether the action will produce the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people.

Question 4

Instrumental

Answer 4

Utilitarianism believes that no moral actions have intrinsic value, only instrumental if they produce the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people. Another way of putting this is that Utilitarians think the ends always think the ends always justify the means.