Moral Philosophy Flashcards
(27 cards)
What are the three concepts of the greatest happiness principle
Consequences of an action
Only consequences that matter are the happiness or unhappiness
The happiness of one person does not matter more than others
What is hedonism
Hedonism is the view that pleasure or happiness is the only thing worth value
What do the greatest happiness suggest we value
Suggest only the consequences of the pleasure or happiness should be valued
What is the equity principle
Everyone’s happiness counts equally in our deliberations
When added this principle it creates that we should preform those acts wich generate the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people
What is a criticism for produce greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of number
Minority loose out
What is the structure of benthams utilitarianism
Consequentialists /teleological
Relativist
Maximising
Impartial
What is the structure consequentialist
The moral wort of an action is determined on the consequence of the act
What is the structure of relativist
Wether an action is wrong or right is relative to the situation
What is the structure maximising
It does not require that only one pleasure is promoted but the greatest happiness for the greatest number of
What is the structure impartial
Gives no preference to particular individuals
What was the hedonic calculus made for
Helps an individual work out how much pleasure would be made it provides guidance for a utilitarian that does not know how to act in a moral dilemma
What is the criteria for the hedonic calculus
Intensity
Duration
Certainty
Propquity
Fecundity
Purity
Extent
What are the criticisms to the hedonic calculus
Seven independent criteria can make it impossible
No clear instructions
Mill argue it’s the quality of happiness not quantity
Can’t compare pleasure effectively
What did mill define the word pleasure as
Mill thought the quality of the pleasures was crucial
What did mill suggest we seek
Higher pleasures
Intellectual
What are competent judges
Those who have experienced higher and lower pleasures and always prefer the higher pleasures
What is the criticisms to mills work
Some people would prefer Lower pleasure
Mill was referred to as a snob however ain’t fair as this attacks the person not the claim
What is act utilitarianism
The view that we should examine the consequences of each possible course of action in any situation when making moral choices
Evaluate individual situations
What is a rule utilitarian
They believe we should stick to general rules of conduct such as don’t lie
What are the two forms of rule utilitarianism
Hard
Soft
What’s hard rule utilitarianism
Those who believe that guidance from the set of rules must be followed as it produces happiness
What is soft utilitarianism
Those who believe the rules can be ignored were more happiness can be produced if the rule was broke
What is the Criticism for hard rule
Suffers from rule worship as the no longer are seen to focus on the consequences of an action
