Michael Lacewing enquiriesalevelphilosophycouk Hedonist act utilitarianism Act consequentialism Actions are morally right or wrong depending on their consequences and nothing else An act is right if it ID: 623068
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Slide1
Utilitarianism
Michael Lacewing
enquiries@alevelphilosophy.co.ukSlide2
Hedonist act utilitarianism
Act consequentialism: Actions are morally right or wrong depending on their consequences and nothing else. An act is right if it
maximizes
what is good.
Value theory: The only thing that is good is happiness.
Equality: Everyone’s happiness counts more than anyone else’s.Slide3
Implications
An action is right if it
maximizes
happiness
Actions are judged not by ‘type’ (e.g. lying) or motive but by consequences
‘Greatest’ is comparative – just creating some happiness isn’t enough
The principle provides clear moral guidanceSlide4
Bentham’s principle of utility
The ‘principle of utility’ (aka the ‘greatest happiness principle’):
‘that principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever, according to the tendency which it appears to have to augment or diminish the happiness of the party whose interest is in question’.
Jeremy BenthamSlide5
Utility, happiness, pleasure
Utility = what is in your interests = happiness = pleasure and absence of pain
Hedonism: pleasure (happiness) is the only good
Felicific calculus:
If a pleasure is more intense, will last longer, is more certain to occur, will happen sooner rather than later, or will produce in turn many other pleasures and few pains, it counts for
more
Add up total pleasures and subtract total painsSlide6
Some quick objections and replies from Mill
We don’t need happiness
Reply: Noble people have sacrificed their happiness for the happiness of others
Not only my happiness counts
Reply: That’s right! Utilitarianism doesn’t say an act is right if it makes you happy, but if it creates the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people
John Stuart MillSlide7
Quick objections and replies
Utilitarianism conflicts with religious teaching
Reply: No, it is compatible.
Because it doesn’t respect moral principles, utilitarianism will encourage people to behave immorally
Not necessarily. It condemns any action that promotes short-term gain over long-term happiness.Slide8
Objection
Is happiness pleasure and the absence of pain?
Can something be in my interest without my taking any pleasure in it?
Is it morally equivalent to cause pleasure and to reduce pain? Or is it more important to reduce (or not cause) pain?