Philosophy + Ethics - utilitarianism

Question 2

What principle does utilitarianism apply to moral dilemmas?

Answer 2

The principle of utility

Question 3

What is the main goal of utilitarianism?

Answer 3

To create ‘the greatest good for the greatest number’

Question 4

What does the principle of utility judge?

Answer 4

How useful something is and how much pleasure it creates

Question 5

Who proposed the act utilitarianism?

Answer 5

Jeremy Bentham

Question 6

Who developed rule utilitarianism?

Answer 6

John Stuart Mill

Question 7

What type of ethical theory is utilitarianism?

Answer 7

Teleological and consequentialist

Question 8

What does utilitarianism aim to provide?

Answer 8

A practical way to make moral decisions

Question 9

What does it mean that utilitarianism is relative?

Answer 9

What is right and wrong changes based on the result

Question 10

What is the underlying absolute rule of utilitarianism?

Answer 10

Greatest good for the greatest number

Question 11

True or False: Utilitarianism focuses solely on self-interest.

Answer 11

False

Question 12

What is a critique of utilitarianism regarding individual benefits?

Answer 12

It must address the interest of all, not just self-interest

Question 13

How does utilitarianism view the ethical considerations of actions?

Answer 13

Based on the outcomes or results of those actions

Question 14

Who is associated with Act Utilitarianism?

Answer 14

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)

Bentham is a key figure in the development of utilitarian ethics.

Question 15

What did Bentham seek in his ethical approach?

Answer 15

An ethical approach which did not relate to or rely on the Bible

Bentham aimed to create a secular ethical framework.

Question 16

What concept did Bentham focus on that was important to most people?

Answer 16

Happiness

Bentham believed happiness should be the ultimate goal of ethical considerations.

Question 17

According to Bentham, what governs mankind?

Answer 17

Two sovereign masters: pain and pleasure

This idea underscores the utilitarian principle of maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: ‘Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, _______ and _______.’

Answer 18

pain; pleasure

Question 19

What does Bentham argue determines what we ought to do?

Answer 19

Pain and pleasure

This reflects the foundational utilitarian belief in the consequences of actions.

Question 20

In which work did Bentham express his ideas on governance by pain and pleasure?

Answer 20

An Introduction to the Principles and Morals of Education (1781)

This text outlines his views on ethics and morality.

Question 21

What is the Principle of Utility?

Answer 21

A system of law developed by Bentham to approve or reject actions based on their ability to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.

Question 22

How does Bentham define ‘Utility’?

Answer 22

The extent to which an act produces benefit, advantage, pleasure, good, or happiness, or prevents pain, evil, or unhappiness.

Question 23

What is the measure of right and wrong according to Bentham?

Answer 23

“It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong.”

Question 24

What is the key democratic principle in Bentham’s utilitarianism?

Answer 24

Promoting the common good and seeking pleasure for the majority while avoiding pain.

Question 25

Is utilitarianism a selfish ethical theory?

Answer 25

No, it takes everyone into account and focuses on the happiness of the community.

Question 26

What is the Hedonic Calculus and who was it proposed by?

Answer 26

A process for weighing different decisions by calculating the balance of pleasure as opposed to pain. proposed by Bentham

Question 27

List the categories used in Bentham's Hedonic Calculus.

Answer 27

* Intensity * Duration * Certainty * Proximity * Fecundity * Extent

Question 28

What does 'Intensity' refer to in the Hedonic Calculus?

Answer 28

The concentration of happiness achieved.

Question 29

What does 'Duration' refer to in the Hedonic Calculus?

Answer 29

How long the happiness will last.

Question 30

What does 'Certainty' refer to in the Hedonic Calculus?

Answer 30

Whether the happiness is guaranteed.

Question 31

What does 'Proximity' refer to in the Hedonic Calculus?

Answer 31

How soon the happiness will happen.

Question 32

What does 'Fecundity' refer to in the Hedonic Calculus?

Answer 32

Whether the happiness will lead to further happiness.

Question 33

What does 'Extent' refer to in the Hedonic Calculus?

Answer 33

The quality and width of the effects of the happiness achieved.

Question 34

what utilitarianism does mill support? What does Mill argue regarding human pleasures compared to animal pleasures?

Answer 34

rule utilitarianism Human beings have faculties more elevated than the animal appetites ## Footnote Mill believes that humans possess higher capabilities of pleasure that go beyond mere instinct.

Question 35

What is a common objection to utilitarianism?

Answer 35

It is a 'swine ethic' as it treats us more like pigs than humans ## Footnote This objection suggests that utilitarianism fails to recognize the complexity of human pleasures.

Question 36

How does Mill respond to the objection that utilitarianism is a 'swine ethic'?

Answer 36

Humans have pleasures that animals don't have ## Footnote Mill emphasizes that humans seek after higher pleasures beyond basic animalistic desires.

Question 37

What does Mill state about the desirability of different kinds of pleasure?

Answer 37

Some kinds of pleasure are more desirable and more valuable than others ## Footnote Mill distinguishes between higher and lower pleasures in his utilitarian framework.

Question 38

What principle does Mill argue needs to distinguish between quantity and quality?

Answer 38

The utility principle ## Footnote Mill asserts that both the quantity and quality of pleasures must be considered in utilitarian evaluations.

Question 39

Fill in the blank: Mill believes that higher pleasures are always better than _______.

Answer 39

lower pleasures ## Footnote This distinction is critical in understanding Mill's qualitative approach to utilitarianism.

Question 40

What example does Mill use to illustrate the difference in quality of pleasure?

Answer 40

Torturing a person for the entertainment of a crowd ## Footnote Mill argues that the quality of suffering for one person outweighs the happiness of many.

Question 41

Who was John Stuart Mill a student of?

Answer 41

Bentham ## Footnote Mill followed and developed the ideas of Jeremy Bentham in utilitarianism.

Question 42

What does Mill recognize regarding pleasures and pains?

Answer 42

There are different sorts of pleasures and pains ## Footnote Mill's utilitarianism focuses on qualitative differences in experiences.

Question 43

True or False: Mill believes that all pleasures are of equal value.

Answer 43

False ## Footnote Mill argues that some pleasures are inherently more valuable than others.

Question 44

What does Mill suggest about human beings' perception of happiness?

Answer 44

They do not regard anything as happiness which does not include the gratification of elevated faculties ## Footnote Mill believes that true happiness involves higher pleasures beyond basic instincts.

Question 45

What is the main idea behind the statement 'it is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied'?

Answer 45

A being of higher faculties requires more for happiness and can experience more acute suffering than one of an inferior type.

Question 46

What does utilitarianism recognize about individual good?

Answer 46

Utilitarianism recognizes the importance of our own good if it benefits others more so.

Question 47

What is the purpose of rule utilitarianism?

Answer 47

Rule utilitarianism sets up rules that benefit the common good to aid in moral decisions.

Question 48

What are examples of actions that rule utilitarianism generally considers wrong?

Answer 48

Actions such as lying, cheating, stealing.

Question 49

How can rules in rule utilitarianism change?

Answer 49

Rules can change if society changes.

Question 50

What is weak rule utilitarianism?

Answer 50

Weak rule utilitarianism allows for exceptions if breaking the rule serves the greatest good more so.

Question 51

True or False: Once the rules for the greatest good are decided in rule utilitarianism, they can be broken.

Answer 51

False

Question 52

What is a potential example of a general rule discussed in relation to stealing?

Answer 52

Stealing is generally wrong because it causes more harm to the victim.