Utilitarianism Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is the principle of utility?
“Seek always the greatest balance of good over evil”
What is the controversial utilitarianism belief that often ignores the minority?
“The greatest good for the greatest number”
What did Jeremy Bentham say his fundamental belief was?
“Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters: pain and pleasure”
What are the only 2 absolutes of act utilitarianism?
Work for the good & principle of utility
What are the 7 hedonic calculus variables?
- Intensity
- Duration
- Certainty
- Propinquity
- Fecundity
- Purity
- Extent
What are Mill’s lower pleasures and higher pleasures?
Bodily activity vs mental activity
What is Mill’s version of utilitarianism called?
Qualitative Utilitarianism
What does Mill say to criticise hedonism?
“It is better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied”
What does Mill conclude about quality vs quantity of pleasure?
“Some kinds of pleasure are more desirable and more valuable than others”
What is a ‘competent judge’
Someone who experiences both kinds of pleasure and will always prefer a higher pleasure
What does Mill say about the principle of utility?
“It is much too complex and indefinite a goal”
What is strong utilitarianism and why is it criticised?
Sticking to the rules no matter the situation. Criticised for a deontological mindless following of rules (instrumentalism)
What is weak utilitarianism and why is it criticised?
Rules can be broken if it maximises happiness to do so. Criticised for reducing rule utilitarianism into act utilitarianism
What is an example of Mill’s secondary principles?
People are free to do what they want as long as they don’t hurt others
What is Mill’s response to the trolly problem?
The harm principle contradicts with the principle of helping others so we need to apply the principle of utility: “it is when two or more secondary principles conflict that a direct appeal to some first principle becomes necessary”
Who is a famous modern representative of utilitarianism and what is his version of utilitarianism called?
Peter Singer: preference utilitarianism
How does Peter Singer describe his approach?
“This book makes no sentimental appeals for sympathy towards ‘cute’ animals”
How does Singer describe seeking what is objectively good?
“My own needs, wants and desires cannot count more than that of anyone else”
Singer says we shouldn’t opt for pleasure/pain, so what should we opt for?
The general satisfaction of preferences
What does Mill say we need to use common sense for?
“To look at the tendency which it appears to maximise happiness”
How does Mill describe common sense?
“All rational creatures go out upon the sea of life with their minds made up on the common questions of right and wrong”
What is the tyranny of the majority?
When the majority choose their happiness at the expense of that of the minority
How does Bentham describe natural rights?
“Rhetorical nonsense - nonsense upon stilts”
What does Mill think the one human right is and how does he explain this?
Liberty
“Utility grounded on the permanent interests of man as a progressive being”
