Lesson 9: Consequentialism And Utility Flashcards
1
Q
- The theory in which the moral value of an act should be judged by the value of its consequences
- It’s goal is to bring about a world containing the greatest balance of good over bad
A
Consequentialism
2
Q
Utilitarianism vs Consequentialist
A
Utilitarianism
Greatest good
Consequentialism
Upon its consequences
3
Q
An act is good or morally right if it promotes happiness, and bad or immoral if it tends to produce pain.
A
Principle of Utility
4
Q
Main Proponents of Utilitarianism:
A
- Jeremy Bentham
- John Stuart Mill
5
Q
- The key principle of utilitarianism
- A utilitarian would not care whether an action is done out of deception, lies or manipulation as long as it produces maximum benefits to many people
A
Happiness
6
Q
- Measures the degree of happiness or pleasure that a specific action may produce
- Coined by Jeremy Bentham
- Also called utility calculus or hedonistic calculus
- It includes intensity, duration, certainty, propinquity, fecundity, purity, and extent.
A
Felific Calculus
7
Q
Felific Calculus formula:
A
Happiness - Pain = Balance
8
Q
According to the Felific Calculus, it is the basis of the morality of an action.
A
Balance
- If the balance is in favor of pleasure, then the act is morally right.
- If the balance is in favor of pain, then the action is moraly wrong.
9
Q
John Stuart Mill vs Bentham
A
- Mill disagrees with the Felific Calculus: we cannot calculate the amount of pleasure or pain that an act produces.
- Basis of Morality: The majority of the people that attains happiness
10
Q
- Utilitarian principle should be applied to a particular act in a particular situation or circumstance.
- The basis of the morality of an action is the ACT itself.
A
Act Utilitarianism
11
Q
- The principle at issue should be used to test moral rule, and then such rules can be utilized in judging what is right and wrong under the circurstance.
- An act is morally right if if conforms to a justified MORAL RULE.
A
Rule Utilitarianism
