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Utilitarianism Flashcards

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1
Q

It was founded by Jeremy Bentham and refined by John Stuart Mill.

A

Utilitarianism

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2
Q

Utilitarianism was founded by

A

Jeremy Bentham

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3
Q

Utilitarianism was refined by

A

John Stuart Mill

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4
Q

are the most prominent philosophers associated with utilitarianism

A

Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill

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5
Q

An English philosopher and political radical.

A

Jeremy Bentham

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6
Q

He is primarily known today for his moral
philosophy, especially his principle of
utilitarianism, this ethical theory assesses the
morality of actions based on their consequences, specifically the total happiness generated for all those affected.

A

Jeremy Bentham (1748—1832)

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7
Q

Jeremy Bentham was Influenced by many enlightenment thinkers, especially empiricists such as

A

John Locke and David Hume

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8
Q

developed an ethical theory
grounded in a largely empiricist account of human nature.

A

Jeremy Bentham

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9
Q

the Father of John Stuart Mill.

A

Teacher of James Mill

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10
Q

He profoundly influenced the shape of nineteenth century British thought and political discourse.

A

John Stuart Mill (1806 – 1873)

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11
Q

His substantial corpus of works includes texts in logic, epistemology, economics, social and political philosophy, ethics, metaphysics, religion, and current

A

John Stuart Mill (1806 – 1873)

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12
Q

He was homeschooled and studied Greek at the age of three and Latin at the age of eight. He wrote a history of Roman Law at the age of 11, and suffered a nervouse breakdown at the age of 20.

A

John Stuart Mill (1806 – 1873)

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13
Q

Is a type of Consequentialism.

A

Utilitarianism

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14
Q

Utilitarianismis a type of

A

Consequentialism

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15
Q

It is a position in normative
ethics that asserts that ethical judgments are not based on the act itself but on the consequence of an act

A

Utilitarianism

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16
Q

Is a normative theory of ethics that states that the ethical and moral justness of an action depends only on the consequences of that action.

A

Utilitarianism

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17
Q

It is an ethical theory that judges actions or rules based on outcomes

A

Utilitarianism

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18
Q

5 Key Principle of Utilitarianism

A

Consequences
Happiness
Impartiality
Maximization
Pleasure

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19
Q

(Principle of Utility)

A

Happiness

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20
Q

(Everyone’s happiness counts equally.)

A

Impartiality

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21
Q

happiness is the only intrinsic good and pain is the only
intrinsic bad.

A

Hedonism

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22
Q

(The Greatest Happiness Principle)

A

Principle of Utility

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23
Q

our actions are governed by two sovereign masters:

A

pleasure and pain

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24
Q

These are given to us by nature to help us determine what is good or bad and what ought to be done and not.

A

pleasure and pain

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25
This principle also refers to pleasure as good if and only if they produce more happiness than unhappiness.
Principle of Utility
26
states that an action is morally right if it produces the greatest amount of happiness (or pleasure) for the greatest number of people.
Principle of Utility
27
Principle where An action is good if it brings more benefit than harm—especially when it benefits more people.
Principle of Utility
28
he is Focused on quantity of pleasure—believed we could measure happiness using what he called the Hedonic Calculus
Jeremy Bentham
29
(a way to calculate pain vs. pleasure).
Hedonic Calculus
30
Agreed with Bentham but said not all pleasures are equal.
John Stuart Mill
31
He emphasized the quality of pleasure—intellectual and moral pleasures are higher than physical ones.
John Stuart Mill
32
also called the Felicific Calculus
Hedonic Calculus
33
The Hedonic Calculus, also called the
Felicific Calculus
34
is a system developed by Jeremy Bentham to help measure and weigh the amount of pleasure an action might produce.
Hedonic Calculus
35
Hedonic Calculus, also called the Felicific Calculus, is a system developed by
Jeremy Bentham
36
7 factors calculated by Felicific Calculus / Hedonic Calculus
Intensity Duration Certainty Propinquity Fecundity Purity Extent
37
How strong is the pleasure?
Intensity
38
How long will the pleasure last?
Duration
39
How likely is it that the pleasure will happen?
Certainty
40
How soon will the pleasure occur?
Propinquity
41
Will it lead to more pleasures?
Fecundity
42
Will it lead to pain as well? Or is it purely good?
Purity
43
How many people will be affected?
Extent
44
argues that we must consider the quality of pleasure/happiness, not just merely the quantity.
John Stuart Mill
45
Mill argues that we must consider the ------ of pleasure/happiness,
quality
46
Mill argues that we must consider the quality of pleasure/happiness, not just merely the
quantity
47
like intellectual pursuits, moral development etc.
Highest Pleasures
48
like Watching mindless television, playing simple video games without intellectual engagement
Lowest Pleasures
49
"It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a
pig satisfied
50
better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a
fool satisfied
51
wants to maximize happiness
Utilitarianism
52
is a tool to help calculate and compare which actions do that
Hedonic Calculus
53
It turns moral questions into something measurable (at least in theory).
Utilitarianism
54
there are two distinct approaches where we can apply the core utilitarian principle of maximizing happiness, these approaches are:
Act Utilitarianism Rule Utilitarianism
55
(Jeremey Bentham’s approach)
Act Utilitarianism
56
(John Stuart Mill’s approach)
Rule Utilitarianism
57
Focuses on the specific situation.
Act Utilitarianism
58
Asks: Will this particular act produce the most happiness for the most people?
Act Utilitarianism
59
Flexible, but can lead to morally uncomfortable decisions (e.g., lying might be okay if it leads to more good).
Act Utilitarianism
60
Focuses on long-term effects and universal rules.
Rule Utilitarianism
61
"Follow rules that, if followed by everyone, generally lead to the greatest happiness."
Rule Utilitarianism
62
Asks: What if everyone did this? Would it promote happiness overall?
Rule Utilitarianism
63
Helps avoid actions that feel “wrong,” even if they bring short-term benefit.
Rule Utilitarianism
64
"Look at each action individually. If it creates more good than harm, then it is the right thing to do."
Act Utilitarianism
65
4 STRENGTHS OF UTILITARIANISM
Simple and Practical Focus on Well-being Equality Flexible
66
Easy to apply by focusing on happiness.
Simple and Practical
67
Prioritizes the happiness of individuals
Focus on Well-being
68
Treats everyone’s happiness equally.
Equality
69
Adapts to different situations.
Flexible
70
5 WEAKNESSES OF UTILITARIANISM
Hard to Measure Happiness Can Justify Harm Ignores Rights and Justice Too Demanding Overlooks Integrity
71
Happiness is subjective and difficult to compare.
Hard to Measure Happiness
72
May allow harmful actions for the greater good.
Can Justify Harm
73
Focuses on outcomes, not fairness.
Ignores Rights and Justice
74
Requires constant decisions for the greatest good.
Too Demanding
75
Doesn’t consider personal values or integrity.
Overlooks Integrity
76
is an ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of the consequences of our actions, aiming to maximize happiness and minimize suffering for the greatest number of people.
Utilitarianism
77
it offers a clear and practical framework for decision-making, it also raises important questions about fairness, justice, and the challenges of measuring happiness.
utilitarianism
78
encourages us to consider the broader impact of our choices, reminding us that ethical decision-making involves balancing the pursuit of collective well-being with respect for individual rights.
utilitarianism

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