Utilitarianism: Bentham Flashcards
(22 cards)
Bentham of Utility
the good is that which will bring about the greatest sum pleasure or least pain for the greatest number
Bentham: hedonic calculus
a way to calculate and quantify the pleasure or pain of a situation Supposedly rational and scientific -> enlightenment Bentham had claimed that
Bentham: hedonic calculus practicle example
the kyoto agreement: helping the environment has a greater has a greater extent and fecundity
Bentham: Hedonic calculus three examples
duration: how ing it lasts Fecundity: leads to further please Extent: how widely it covers
Bentham: social reform
Penal Reforms
abolition of debaters prisons Campaigner for reforms of penal system based off psychological hedonism -> prisoners should not be caused unecceary harm
Bentham: Social Reforms
Animal Welfare
“The question is not can they reason, but can they feel”
Bentham’s Utilitarianism Evaluation:
Majority don’t always make good laws
Problem the majority may want something that isn’t properly thought through Therefore the majority should not be able to dictate the minority Example: Euthaniasia, 82% are for it but it does not consider the effects on the old who it will effect the most
Bentham’s Utilitarianism Evaluation:
Appeals to human nature
humans share common interest in benevolence and sympathy, pleasure and happiness etc Hume: emphasis we all want kindness anf sympathy from others
Bentham’s Utilitarianism Evaluation:
Fair and Democratic
Positive the hedonic calculus creates quantitive and objected views of pleasure and discounts the elite All pleasure is equal The French Revolution:For the state to work the best intentions for all and displaces the monarchy
Bentham’s Utilitarianism Evaluation:
Too impraticle- hedonic calculus
in the heat of the moment, a person would not look to the hedonic calculus to apply to their situation Please is too subjective The trolly problem
Bentham’s Utilitarianism Evaluation:
May undermine freedoms
In promoting the most happiness, people may loose their personal freedom RawlsL live however you want as long as it doesn’t effect other people Brave New World: everyone is happy (drugged) but no one is free
Bentham of Utility
the good is that which will bring about the greatest sum pleasure or least pain for the greatest number
Bentham: hedonic calculus
a way to calculate and quantify the pleasure or pain of a situation Supposedly rational and scientific -> enlightenment Bentham had claimed that
Bentham: hedonic calculus practice example
the kyoto agreement: helping the environment has a greater has a greater extent and fecundity
Bentham: Hedonic calculus three examples
duration: how ing it lasts Fecundity: leads to further please Extent: how widely it covers
Bentham: social reform
Penal Reforms
abolition of debaters prisons Campaigner for reforms of penal system based off psychological hedonism -> prisoners should not be caused unecceary harm
Bentham: Social Reforms
Animal Welfare
“The question is not can they reason, but can they feel”
Bentham’s Utilitarianism Evaluation:
Majority don’t always make good laws
Problem the majority may want something that isn’t properly thought through Therefore the majority should not be able to dictate the minority Example: Euthaniasia, 82% are for it but it does not consider the effects on the old who it will effect the most
Bentham’s Utilitarianism Evaluation:
Appeals to human nature
humans share common interest in benevolence and sympathy, pleasure and happiness etc Hume: emphasis we all want kindness anf sympathy from others
Bentham’s Utilitarianism Evaluation:
Fair and Democratic
Positive the hedonic calculus creates quantitive and objected views of pleasure and discounts the elite All pleasure is equal The French Revolution:For the state to work the best intentions for all and displaces the monarchy
Bentham’s Utilitarianism Evaluation:
Too impraticle- hedonic calculus
in the heat of the moment, a person would not look to the hedonic calculus to apply to their situation Please is too subjective The trolly problem
Bentham’s Utilitarianism Evaluation:
May undermine freedoms
In promoting the most happiness, people may loose their personal freedom RawlsL live however you want as long as it doesn’t effect other people Brave New World: everyone is happy (drugged) but no one is free
