Utilitarianism Official Definitions

Question 1

Hedonism

Answer 1

The theory that the only thing that is intrinsically good is pleasure, and the only thing that is intrinsically bad is pain. Any other “good” is only instrumentally good.

Question 2

Psychological Hedonism

Answer 2

The view that all human action is ultimately governed by seeking pleasure and avoiding pain.

Question 3

Moral Hedonism

Answer 3

The right action is that which mazimises pleasure and minimises pain. This goes beyond saying humans seek pleasure and says they ought to seek pleasure.

Question 4

Hedonistic Utilitarianism

Answer 4

What is right, and what we ought to do, is that which promotes pleasure for the greatest number of people.

Question 5

Hedonistic Egoism

Answer 5

Maximising pleasure exclusively for yourself, without any care for others.

Question 6

Utilitarianism

Answer 6

Derives from the Latin word “utilis” meaning useful. It is a normative system with consequential morality. Good is whatever produces beneficial consequences. Utilitarianism is instrumental (the results justify the means). It follows the principle of utility.

Question 7

The Principle of Utility

Answer 7

The good is that which will bring about the greatest sum of pleasure or the least sum of pain, for the greatest number.
OR
“That principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever, according to the tendency it appears to have to augment or diminish the opportunities of the party whose interest is in question.” - Bentham

Question 8

Teleological

Answer 8

Moral teleologists believe that whether an action is right or wrong is dependent upon the consequences which come from it. Also known as consequentialism.

Question 9

Quantitative

Answer 9

Measuring the quantity, rather than the quality.

Question 10

Relativist

Answer 10

Dependent upon the circumstances. The opposite would be absolutist - fixed in all circumstances.

Question 11

The Hedonic Calculus

Answer 11

In Bentham’s ethics, the means of calculating pleasures and pains caused by an action and adding them up on a single scale. The total amount of happiness produced is the sum total of everyone’s pleasures minus the sum total of everyone’s pains. Criteria include:
Duration
Remoteness
Purity
Fecundity
Intensity
Certainty
Extent

Question 12

Duration (Hedonic Calculus)

Answer 12

How long will it last?

Question 13

Remoteness (Hedonic Calculus)

Answer 13

How near or far is it? This can mean in terms of effort, location, or time.

Question 14

Purity (Hedonic Calculus)

Answer 14

How free from pain is it?

Question 15

Fecundity (Hedonic Calculus)

Answer 15

How much will it lead to further pleasures?

Question 16

Intensity (Hedonic Calculus)

Answer 16

How strong or intense is the pleasure?

Question 17

Certainty (Hedonic Calculus)

Answer 17

How probably or certain is the pleasure?

Question 18

Extent (Hedonic Calculus)

Answer 18

How many people will be affected?

Question 19

Act Utilitarianism

Answer 19

The theory that only happiness is good, and the right act is that act that maximises happiness. Hedonist Act Utilitarianism understands happiness in terms of the balance of pleasure over pain.

Question 20

Tyranny of the majority

Answer 20

The unjust exercise of power by a majority of people over a minority who have different values or desires.

Question 21

Intentions

Answer 21

One’s aims or plans.

Question 22

Moral integrity

Answer 22

Having consistent moral values which will not be compromised.

Question 23

Partiality

Answer 23

Favouring some people, e.g. family and friends, over others.

Question 24

Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 24

The theory that only happiness is good, and the right act is that act that complies with those rules which, if everybody followed them, would lead to the greatest happiness (compared to any other set of rules).

Question 25

Weak Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 25

Mill advocated following general rules that could be broken when necessary, when breaking the rule would maximise utility in a specific case.

Question 26

Strong Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 26

Strong Rule Utilitarianism would say that Utilitarian principles should establish rules that should then never be broken, even if they don't maximise utility in that particular case.

Question 27

Proving the Greatest Happiness Principle

Answer 27

P1. We know something is visible if people see it. Similarly, we know something is audible if people hear it. P2. So, we know that something is desirable if people desire it. P3. Each person desires his own happiness. C1. Therefore, each person's happiness is desirable. C2. Therefore, the general happiness is desirable as the aggregate of all persons.

Question 28

Fallacy

Answer 28

A failure in reasoning which makes an argument invalid.

Question 29

The Fallacy of Composition

Answer 29

The fallacy of composition is committed when someone assumed that what is true for the members of a group must also be true of the whole group.

Question 30

Preference Utilitarianism

Answer 30

The theory that we should maximise happiness, which is understood not in terms of pleasure and pain, but in terms of the satisfaction of people's preferences.