Utilitarianism: Act And Rule (evaluation)

Question 1

Act and Rule Util: What is Act

Answer 1

Bentham Assess each individual situation with its won merits in the aim of promiting greater happiness of those involved Principle of Utility and an emphasis on pleasure and the quantities of it

Question 2

Act and Rule Util: what is Rule

Answer 2

millPeople should follow and be guided by moral rules These rules in the past have been shown to promote greater happiness for the greatest numberEmphasis on the quality of hte happiness

Question 3

Act and Rule Util: weaknesses
Consequences are difficult to predict

Answer 3

The hedonic calculus may be seen as impractical and unravel to predict consequences Bounded and perfect reality Bounded reality:someone is unaware of the full facts Prefect reality: situation where all facts are know Act Suffers from bounded

Question 4

Act and Rule Util: weaknesses
Self defeating

Answer 4

Singer:cant keep to anything, like a promis AU: the greater good forces you to break promises

Question 5

Act and Rule Util: weaknesses
Doesn’t take personal or professional obligations

Answer 5

AU: doctor may break a code of conduct to report something they deem worthy, like a teen pregnancy RU: wouldn’t as they had seen codes of conduct in the past have prompted good

Question 6

Act and Rule Util: weaknesses
Family relations aren’t taken into account

Answer 6

adopts impartial approach to family relations AU: may say it is better to donate money to charity instead of buy birthday present RU: would see the long term benefit of getting the birthday present, as happy families willl help in creating a functioning society

Question 7

Act and Rule Util: weaknesses
Undermines justice

Answer 7

makes justice have no intrinsic value Could find someone guilty of a crime they didnt commit if it creates greater socially happiness Mill: justice has an intrisic value based on its instrumental value in upholding greater happiness