Utilitarianism Flashcards
1
Q
Key philosophers
A
Bentham and Mill
2
Q
Principle of utility
A
Act utilitarianism
greatest pleasure for the greatest number
3
Q
Hedonic calculus
A
Duration Remoteness - far in the future Purity - free from pain Richness - lead to other pleasures Intensity Certainty - likely Extent
We can use a rule of thumb in future to make similar decisions
4
Q
Mill’s utilitarianism
A
Rule utilitarianism
Greatest happiness for the greatest number
Happiness is spiritual and cultural
Higher and lower pleasures
5
Q
Challengers to rule utilitariansim
A
Sidgewick
WD Ross
RM Hare
6
Q
Sidgewick
A
Hard to distinguish between higher and lower pleasures
7
Q
WD Ross
A
Life is too complex for theories that focus on a single issue like happiness or pleasure
8
Q
RM Hare
A
Minority rights are not protected
