Utilitarianism

Question 1

Teleological Morality

Answer 1

1) Morality towards achieving an end

2) good defined independently from right and right defined as that which maximizes the good

Question 2

GHP

Answer 2

actions are right if they promote happiness and wrong if they promote sorrow

Question 3

Qualitative Hedonism

Answer 3

1) Absolute priority of higher pleasures over lower pleasures.
2) higher pleasures are “pleasures of the intellect”
3) lower pleasures are “mere sensation”
4) allows for Mill to fit his perfectionism inside his utilitarianism
5) “Competent judges”/ knowledgeable experts to determine which pleasures are higher and lower

Question 4

Act Utilitarianism

Answer 4

1) considering impacts of every action with the GHP
2) Mill thinks it’s abusrd/impossible to consult GHP for every action
3) Bentham

Question 5

Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 5

1) creating a set of moral rules in line with GHP and acting in accordance with those rules
2) Mill is Rule Ut
3) Rule Ut. is Act Ut. subject to information constraints

Question 6

Direct Utilitarianism

Answer 6

1) GHP as standard and motive for all actions

2) Bentham

Question 7

Indirect Utilitarianism

Answer 7

1) GHP only as standard
2) Mill is Indirect
3) virtues are “part of happiness” not just means to it
4) acquisition of wealth, power, etc. may be motives than end in accordance with GHP

Question 8

“Binding Force” of GHP

Answer 8

1) External sanctions (imposed by law)

2) Internal sanctions (guilt/shame)

Question 9

Proof of GHP

Answer 9

1) Mill holds “all first principles are incapable of proof” but tries anyway
2) is/ought problem Mill tries to derive a norm (ought) from a fact (is)
3) fallacy of composition tries to say a good to a person is a good for all people

Question 10

Perfect and Imperfect Duties

Answer 10

1) perfect duties are those that should be enforced by law/ external sanctions. i.e. don’t kill
2) imperfect duties enforce through social pressure i.e. shunning