Utilitarianism: Application

Question 1

Utilitarianism: Historical, Mill’s Liberty

Answer 1

• liberty and harm priciple essay
• defends individual freedom, unless it hurts others -> influenced Lib Dem’s
• defends women’s rights and free speech as long as it doesn’t harm others

Question 2

Utilitarianism: Historical, Bentham

Answer 2

• made a model priosn, to reduce undue suffering in prison
• penal reforms, like abolishing debaters prisons
• argued HC should inform decision making
• reforms in child labour, health, and education

Question 3

Utilitarianism: Environmental Ethics

Answer 3

• supports combatting climate change
• eg carbon taxes -> short term costs for long term pleasure
• but how does util deal with inter generational ethics, and quantifying their pleasure
• singer with animal welfare

Question 4

Utilitarianism: Public Health Resources

Answer 4

• Util responding used with vaccine roll outs and organ donation
• eg COVID, icu beds given to those most likely to survive, increasing overall happiness by saving most lives -> criticised for dehumanising people’s individual rights -> ableism

Question 5

Tensions between _____

Answer 5

Moral utility and individual rights -> tyranny of the majority