Utilitarianism Flashcards
(12 cards)
The principle of utility
+ definition of utilitarianism
Developed from the observed belief that everyone is at the core hedonistic (in pursuit of pleasure and in avoidance of pain)
Benthams one moral rule , involving Not judging an action based on merits, but instead its ‘usefulness’ at producing the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people
“The greatest good for the greatest number”
Applied to every situation and to be judged on quantifiable results not on the motives involved
(A quantitative theory)
Utilitarianism is a normative theory of ethics which judges an action by its end result- namely the amount of pleasure gained for the majority of those involved.
The hedonic calculus
The hedonic calculus is a method developed by Bentham to evaluate the morality of actions based on their consequences
He proposed a systematic way to calculate the moral worth by assessing each action based on
intensity (how strong the pressure of pain)
duration (how long the pleasure lasts)
certainty (how likely it is that the pleasure of pain will occur)
Propinquity (how soon will a pleasure or pain occur)
Fecundity (will the pleasure lead to more pleasure in the future)
Purity (how free from pain is the pleasure)
and extent (how many people will be affected)
if the overall balance of pleasure outweigh pain, the action of morally right and the opposite is true if the pain outweigh the pleasure.
Hedonism
+ agent neutrality
Bentham believed that humans were all at their core hedonistic therefore motivated in pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain- pleasure being our fundamental drive to life
His ethical theory started with an observation on what really mattered to people- namely being happy. You concluded the pleasure is the sole intrinsic good and pain the soul intrinsic evil.
social conscience also led him to the view that everyone had an equal right to happiness and irrespective of status
He concluded that in any scenario we should treat everyone as impartial bystanders
“Everyone to count for one and no-one for more than one”- Bentham
Strengths of act Utilitarianism x3
Clear and systematic approach- the hedonic calculus provides a structured way to evaluate the morality of actions
practical application- Benthams utilitarianism enforce legal reforms advocating for social justice prison reform and economic policies aimed at reduced suffering bring you out the most happiness of society as a whole +
Highly empirical based on the observable theory that everybody works to maximise pleasure and minimise pain ‘the principle of utility’
equality and impartiality- every individuals pleasure is considered equally making the theory democratic in nature
Weaknesses of act Utilitarianism x2
Ayn Rand- the principle of utility was a dangerous justification for the tyranny of the majority.
- Individuals rights are fundamental and therefore “not subject to a public vote”, instead it is that political functional of rights to protect minorities from the oppression of majorities.
Arguably, if what would make the most happy was prioritised a group of men could abuse and torture a young child with no family and no relations under heavy sedation and not only would it be considered acceptable? It would be morally encouraged.
+we have seen humanity act in this way, even when left unrestricted by rules, in mob lynching and enslavement policies
Bernard Williams argued that as it is a consequentialist theory by nature, its essentially guesswork as we cannot predict the future. It also neglects intention, motivation, and the nature of actions (even when application of the hedonic calculus is utilised)
thought experiments such as ‘George’ to demonstrate how a focus on maximising overall well-being (accepting a job in chemical warfare so someone unethical doesn’t and to support your otherwise impoverished family) can promote morally problematic actions that conflict with personal values to create moral contamination. It fails to count for the importance of moral integrity and the potential for actions to have unintended negative consequences.
Refining act Utilitarianism
Principle of utility (maximising pleasure)
John Stuart MIll created rule utilitarianism which took a more qualitative approach to utilitarianism and solve some of the key issues with act
Principle of utility, in not distinguishing between different kinds of pleasures, gives way to a society without advancement as some may choose to prioritise pleasures that hinder them in the long run
Mill distinguishes between higher (intellectual, moral) and lower (physical) pleasures and argues that true happiness comes from developing our higher faculties and that anyone who has experienced both will naturally choose higher pleasures
“It is better to be a human being dissatisfied that a pig satisfied” - MIll
Refining act utilitarianism
Tyranny of the majority + the hedonic calculus
Mill introduced the general harm principle that society should only interfere with individual liberties to prevent harm to others as protecting personal freedoms leads to long-term happiness
“The only justifiable reason for restricting an individuals liberty is to prevent harm “- Mill
Mail rejects Bentham’s rigid calculus arguing the pleasure is qualitative not just quantitive. He claims that people who experienced both higher and lower pleasures would naturally prefer higher pleasures even if they come with discomfort or effort.
Weaknesses of Mills Utilitarianism x2
Hauskeller + Schaupp- argue that Mills higher and lower pleasures are elitism and difficult to measure and the idea that they would be universally proposed preferred is not supported by empirical evidence. Furthermore there is a lack of distinguishment between what would be classified as higher and lower pleasures and therefore a misunderstanding as to which ones to prioritise.
Lack of clarity as to what is meant by ‘harm’ in the general harm principle
The subjectivity of heart leads to potential exploitation and misuse, particularly in terms of state intervention as they could decree that certain actions may lead to harm despite not having done so yet and potentially never .
Strengths of MIlls Utilitarianism
By focusing and distinguishing between higher and low pleasures if focuses on long-term societal progress and individual self actualisation
Addresses issues of justice and rights recognising a need for personal freedoms and protection from tyranny
more practical application without a focus on the hedonic calculus and has general rules that will maximise the greatest good for the greatest number based on previous experience less time-consuming and more straightforward
Can arrive from the whole of human history and doesn’t disregard important ethical thinking
Issues with rule falling into act
Strong raw utilitarianisms say that rules adopted should never be broken
- This arguably falls into a more deontological approach in which things are not taken by a case by case basis and becomes more solute and loses any flexibility benefited from an act
whereas weak rule utilitarianism say the individual circumstances mainly to rules having to be broken
- Which is arguably just the principles of act as people utilise their own understanding and previous knowledge and within their use of the hedonic calculus to make decisions into certain scenarios
Issues with both rule and act
Bernard Williams- it is too demanding as it requires inherent agent neutrality. This can lead to an overbearing sense of responsibility that is simultaneously overdemanding and politically alienating.
“We are creatures of kinship and loyalty not blind servants of the world”
demands interests to be considered entire entirely equal, taking away a natural part of our human nature that could impact our ability to form and develop relationships. This aspect of our human nature is seen in issues such as the trolley problem and every day life.
Nozicks experience machine challenges the idea that only pleasurable experiences matter humans value real experiences and authenticity over purely stimulated happiness.
“Plugging into the machine is a kind of suicide”
There is inherent value in real experiences pain and hardship. If only pleasure was prioritised it would be easier to constantly seek short-term happiness through sex smoking eating and drinking .
Pleasure is subjective and therefore general rules cannot be made with the principle of utility as their basis, especially as we do not know that all humans are hedonists.
- it is not quantifiable
- sadist (those who derive pleasure from inflicting pain) and masochists (those who derive pleasure from experiencing pain)
- Many are willing to suffer more for a greater good and a more or less willing to be morally compromising or act for the greater good.
Defenders of rule and act
Sigmund Freud argued that everyone at their core is hedonistic (in pursuit of pleasure and in avoidance of pain)
This is based on observable and empirical evidence. Furthermore the hedonic calculus measures the majority of factors involved.
Arguably male allows for special relationships and emotional connection to be a factor in decision-making and accepts that our own moral obligations differ depending on the situation
