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Utilitarianism PHI 251 Introduction to Ethics

Utilitarianism PHI 251 Introduction to Ethics. Utilitarianism. “A moral theory according to which an action is right if and only if it conforms to the principle of utility.” (Jeremy Bentham, Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, 1789). A Theory of Usefulness.

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Utilitarianism PHI 251 Introduction to Ethics

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  1. Utilitarianism PHI 251 Introduction to Ethics

  2. Utilitarianism “A moral theory according to which an action is right if and only if it conforms to the principle of utility.” (Jeremy Bentham, Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, 1789)

  3. A Theory of Usefulness • IT IS BASED ON CONSEQUENCES ALONE; IT IS A TELEOLOGICAL THEORY. • JUDGES ONLY ENDS NOT THE MEANS TO THAT END. • HAPPINESS / PLEASURE IS THE ONLY GOOD TO BE SOUGHT. • ALL CONCERNED MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, THE HAPPINESS OF THE ‘GREATEST NUMBER’ IS WHAT COUNTS. • JEREMY BENTHAM, JOHN S MILL, PETER SINGER, R.M HARE.

  4. Key Questions • Is a moral world one where as many people as possible are as happy as they can be? • Do the ends always justify the means? • What makes an action good or bad – the action in itself or the consequences of that action? • Does the good of the majority always outweigh the good of the few, or the one?

  5. Action conforms to the principle of utility if and only if its performance will be more productive of pleasure or happiness, or more preventive of pain or unhappiness, than any alternative. Instead of 'pleasure' and 'happiness' the word 'welfare' is also apt: the value of consequences of an action is determined solely by the welfare of individuals.

  6. Jeremy Bentham • Bentham stated that humanity was motivated by pleasure and pain – Hedonism • He believed humanity pursued pleasure and avoided pain. • Pleasure and pain identified what we should and shouldn’t do – hedonic utilitarianism.

  7. Bentham’s Principle of Utility • The rightness or wrongness of an act is determined by its usefulness. • Usefulness refers to the amount of pleasure or happiness caused by an action. • Also known as the greatest happiness principle. • An action is right if it produces the greatest good (pleasure or happiness) for the greatest number. • Democracy is based on Utilitarianism.

  8. Bentham’s Hedonic Calculus 7 factors to be taken into consideration: • Intensity – Duration – (Un)certainty – Remoteness (propinquity) – Fecundity (will more pain follow this pain?) – Purity – Extent (how many people will it affect?). • The balance of pleasure and pain can be compared and the morally correct action will follow.

  9. John Stuart Mill Utility: the Greatest Happiness Principle Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure. Maximize the welfare of all sentient creatures (happiness=utility, highest good)

  10. Act Utilitarianism "is the view that the rightness or wrongness of an action is to be judged by the consequences, good or bad, of the action itself. TELEOLOGY (purpose)

  11. Rule Utilitarianism "is the view that the rightness or wrongness of an action is to be judged by the goodness and badness of the consequences of a rule [which says] that everyone should perform the action in like circumstances."

  12. Act utilitarianism says to choose or perform actions which increase happiness and diminish misery. Rule utilitarianism says to act according to rules which tend to increase happiness and diminish misery.

  13. Act utilitarianism says that a person should perform an act or action which will bring about the greatest amount of good for all concerned, or an act is right or good if it brings about the greatest amount of good for all concerned. Rule utilitarianism says that rules should be made and followed which will bring about the greatest amount of good for all concerned, or a rule is right or good if it brings about the greatest amount of good for all concerned.

  14. Act utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of actions. Rule utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of rules.

  15. Act utilitarianism says that each individual action should be assessed on the results or consequences which it alone produces. Rule utilitarianism does not focus on individual actions, but considers the consequences of rules which concern kinds of action.

  16. Three traditional objections to utilitarianism 1) It is difficult to see how it can be practically applied - can we really know what amount of happiness is likely to result from either individual actions or from general rules pertaining to actions?

  17. Three traditional objections to utilitarianism 2) It seems to be unfair - can’t it be the case that the happiness (and rights) of some individual or group of individuals be sacrificed for the happiness of the majority?

  18. Three traditional objections to utilitarianism 3) Its focus on actions to the exclusion of motives and intentions - this makes it seem one-sided and naive.

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