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Summary UTILITARIANISM NOTES AND EVALUATION
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In-depth, critical and evaluative A01 + A02 notes for the Utilitarianism topic, for the Religion and Ethics unit for OCR Religious Studies.
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UTILITITARIANISMUtilitarianism as Normative Ethical Theory
Teleological: based on outcome
Relative: no absolute idea of right and wrong
Consequential: the consequences decide the right or wrong
Hedonistic: pursuit of pleasure, which is “good”
Tied to social reform
The ethical theory that pursues to maximize the greatest amount of
good amongst the greatest number
Principle of Utility
The greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number- Francis
Hutchenson
The action with the most pleasure is the most moral
Jeremy Bentham
Influenced by Thomas Hobbes and the social inequality during the
British Civil War
Believed human beings are motivated by self-interest
“sovereign masters of pain and pleasure”
Act Utilitarian
Hedonist- Pleasure is the highest good
Maximizing pleasure for a majority
Hedonism
Intrinsic well-being, pleasure for one is always good, regardless of
context and other factors
Pleasure = good pain= bad
Roots with Epicurus
Fred Feldman’s “Attitudinal Hedonism”- psychological responses to
pleasure differ from person to person
Nozick’s Experience Machine
To opt for a simulated life full of pleasure over a real one
Deduces that a good life does not completely depend on intrinsic
pleasure, but other factors
Hedonism is false
Hedonic Calculus
Quantitative variables to calculate the quantity of pleasure or pain
in the outcome
PREDICT: Purity, Remoteness, Extent, Duration, Intensity,
Certainty and To be followed by what
, Criticisms of Hedonic Calculus
Roger Crisp- the Oyster and Joseph Haydn
Mill’s objection to quantifiable variables; too Impartial
Not all pleasure is equal
It is not a moral currency
Too rigid and unworkable
Act Utilitarianism
To consider acts individually
Work out rules for each specific action and its outcome
Calculate utility for these actions separately, non-collectivist
Only one moral rule: maximize greatest number of happiness
Relative
Quantitative
Flexible
John Stuart Mill
Student of Bentham, but called his views on hedonism “swine
philosophy”
Social reformer and women’s rights activist
Believed in personal liberty/autonomy
Humans are smarter than other living creatures
Promote happiness of everyone, rather than majority
Qualitative rather than quantitative
Rule Utilitarianism
Weak and Strong.
Society should affirm moral rules to protect the weak and maintain
order
Humans should always follow these rules
Weak: In extreme circumstances, they can be broken
Strong: Always be followed
Democratic and ensures EVERYONE benefits
Higher/Lower Pleasures
Higher: Intellectual/mental pleasures exclusive to humans
Lower: Bodily pleasures available to all
We are better as we can experience intellectual pleasures, which
are more desirable to humans
Competent judges decide if a pleasure is “higher” or “lower”
Preference Utilitarianism
Peter Singer
Prudential
Maximum pleasure is decided by personal satisfaction
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