right and wrong pt.2

Question 1

What is consequentialism?

Answer 1

Its defining right and wrong in terms of the consequences of our actions

Question 2

Consequentialism is in contrast with?

Answer 2

With duty-based ethics and kantian ethics that focus on our motives

Question 3

What is the most famous and influential version of consequentialism?

Answer 3

Utilitarianism

Question 4

What is utilitarianism?

Answer 4

It specifies how to evaluate the consequences of an action by combining consequentialism with two other views, hedonism and egalitarianism

Question 5

According to hedonism

Answer 5

Good= pleasure (or happiness)
Bad= pain (or unhappiness)

Question 6

When we combine hedonism with consequentialism what does it mean?

Answer 6

It means that we look at how much pleasure vs. pain is produced as a consequence of the action

Question 7

Utilitarianism doesnt support what?

Answer 7

It doesnt support any form of egoist hedonism

Question 8

What is egoist hedonism?

Answer 8

Its aiming to have as much pleasure as possible for oneself

Question 9

Utilitarianism involves a kind of what?

Answer 9

Involves a kind of egalitarianism

Question 10

What is egalitarianism?

Answer 10

The general view that supports equality

Question 11

According to the Greatest Happiness Principle or the Principle of utility

Answer 11

The right action is the one that brings about the greatest amount of total happiness for all

Question 12

What does “the greatest amount of total happiness for all” mean?

Answer 12

This means that in your decision, you don’t have a priority you are just one person given equal weight with other people

Question 13

When making a decision what do we look at?

Answer 13

We look at future consequences of an action that hasnt happened yet

Question 14

When looking at a future consequence of an action what must we consider?

Answer 14

We must consider the probable consequence and choose the one that maximizes total happiness

Question 15

The utilitarianism does not discriminate what?

Answer 15

It does not discriminate the “all” on the basis of species and counts the happiness and unhappiness of everyone and everything

Question 16

What’s the advantage of the utilitarianism theory not discriminating other species?

Answer 16

It gives the advantage of explaining the ethical importance of how we treat other animals

Question 17

What are the criticisms of utilitarianism?

Answer 17

1-Difficulties of calculation

2-Problem cases

Question 18

Difficulties of calculation

Answer 18

• Can we really guess how all other people are going to feel?
• Can we quantify and compare the pleasure and pain different people are going to feel?
• Can we calculate the probable pleasure and pain of other animals?

Question 19

Bentham thought it was possible to calculate by using a method called

Answer 19

The felicific calculus

Question 20

What is the felicific calculus?

Answer 20

Its to calculate the pleasure in an action we have to consider factors such as 
-Intensity
-Duration
-Purity
Tendency to lead to other pleasures

Question 21

What did Mill think about Benthams method?

Answer 21

He thought it was too simplistic

Question 22

What did Mill develop?

Answer 22

He developed a new version of utilitarianism

Question 23

What did Mills new version of utilitarianism involve?

Answer 23

It involved “not only quantitative but also qualitive” comparisons between pleasure where we can divide pleasures into higher and lower pleasures based on their quality

Question 24

What are the higher and lower pleasures according to Mill?

Answer 24

Higher pleasure are intellectual pleasures (such as learning or enjoying art). Physical pleasures (such as eating, drinking, and sex) are lower pleasures

Question 25

What does Mill argue?

Answer 25

He argues that those who are experienced with both kinds of pleasure almost prefer a lifestyle of the higher kind

Question 26

What did some critics argue about Mills view?

Answer 26

They argued that Mills view is elitist where he is just praising his own lifestyle as a member of the British upper class

Question 27

Any reasonable version of utilitarianism must consider what?

Answer 27

Must consider long term consequences

Question 28

What would a utilitarian say to a machine that would make you feel very pleasant experiences?

Answer 28

A utilitarian would say yes but most people would say no

Question 29

Why would most people say no to a machine that would make them feel very pleasant experiences?

Answer 29

Because they value not just pleasure and happiness but also truth and reality we want our experiences to be real ones

Question 30

The importance of the past-promises

Answer 30

Consequentialism only cares about the future, a utilitarian would recommend breaking your promise if it would maximize total happiness

Question 31

Too demanding

Answer 31

Utilitarianism asks us to be too selfless because it requires you to always choose the option that maximizes total happiness