Utilitarianism

Question 1

8 marker : explore the key ideas of utilitarianism.
3 points

Answer 1

1. Principle of utility
   - created by Bentham
   - action should only be performed if it brings out the greatest good for the greatest number
   - if there is a choice between an individuals happiness and a communities choose the latter
2. Hedonic Calculus
   - created by Bentham
   - pleasure and pain are measurable
   - set out 7 key criteria
   i.e intensity or duration
   - reduce pain first
   - still used today in NHS, NICE
3. Act Utilitarianism
   - created by Betham
   - act based ethics
   - each action is judged individually based on its specific outcomes
   - no fixed rules, what may be wrong in one situation may be right in another
   i.e lying may be acceptable if it causes less harm

Question 2

8 marker : explore the key ideas of act utilitarianism

Answer 2

1. Principle of utility
   - created by Bentham
   - action should only be performed if it brings out the greatest good for the greatest number
   - if there is a choice between an individuals happiness and a communities choose the latter
2. Hedonic Calculus
   - created by Bentham
   - pleasure and pain are measurable
   - set out 7 key criteria
   i.e intensity or duration
   - reduce pain first
   - still used today in NHS, NICE
3. Act based ethics
   - each action is judged individually based on its specific outcomes
   - no fixed rules, what may be wrong in one situation may be right in another
   i.e lying may be acceptable if it causes less harm

Question 3

12 marker : assess the strengths of utilitarianism as an approach to ethical decision making

Answer 3

1. Clear Principle ( Principle of Utility)
   - simple, easily understood - Bentham
   - promotes welfare of the majority
   - hedonic calculus, useful and used today (NICE)
   But, can ignore individual rights
2. Flexible and Situational (act)
   - each action judged individually
   - no fixed rules, what may be wrong in one situation may be right in another
   i.e lying may be acceptable if it causes less harm
   But, may justify harmful actions
3. Secular and Universal
   - doesn’t rely on religion, accessible to all societies
   - can be applied across cultures due to common human experience, pleasure and pain
   But, pleasure is subjective and hard to measure