Week 4

Question 1

State and explain the Act and Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 1

Act of Utilitarianism says an action is right if the outcome produces the most good for the most people. Focuses on the specific act.

Rule of Utilitarianism says a rule is right if the outcome produces the most good for the most people. Focuses on the rule/general practice

Question 2

What is Mills Principle

Answer 2

the morally best ruleis that which produces the greatest net utility.
We ought to do that which produces the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people

Question 3

How does Utilitarianism define good

Answer 3

By reducing it to some form of happiness or pleasure

Question 4

Five elements to calculate good/happiness

Answer 4

Pleasure minus pain
Intensity
Duration
Fruitfulness
Likelihood

Question 5

Three problems with Utilitarianism

Answer 5

1. No one can consider all the variables involved in happiness. It is too complicated. Calculating the qualities of pleasureis nearly impossible as these are highly subjective and varyfrom person to person and animal to animal.
2. It is an affront to family loyalty. If our child were on the track in the Trolley problem, we would have to sacrifice him/her for the greater good.
3. The “ends justify the means”: can cause more harm than good. Kant claimed that we do not always know and cannot always control the consequences of our actions.

Question 6

Explain Preference utilitarianism

Answer 6

According to this view,an action is right insofar as it promotes the greatest number ofpreferences (desires) over the frustration of preferences for the greatest number of people.

Question 7

What’s the difference between Bentham and Mills philosophies?

Answer 7

Bentham held that all pleasure is the same for any being that could feel happiness or pain

Mills believed that people’s happiness or pain was more important