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Summary Utilitarianism - Moral Philosophy A Level Philosophy AQA
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UtilitarianismStudy online at https://quizlet.com/_c1k3hj
1. what idea did the ultimate aim of our action is pleasure (which they
classic utilitari- equate to happiness)
ans such as Ben-
tham and Mill fol-
low?
2. define psycho- The descriptive theory that argues that when humans act,
logical hedonism they are solely motivated by the pursuit of pleasure and
avoidance of pain as it is the morally correct thing to do.
This is used as Bentham's foundation for Act Utilitarianism
in order to prove that we should act as to maximise plea-
sure and minimise pain.
3. define hedonism A moral theory which holds that for each individual, pursu-
ing pleasure and avoiding pain is the right thing to do. We
ought to seek pleasure.
4. paradox of hedo- the more a person seeks pleasure, the harder it is to obtain
nism
5. define classic (or A moral theory which holds that a right action is one that
hedonistic) utili- increases the general happiness - maximises happiness
tarianism for the majority - not just the individual's happiness. Both
Bentham and Mill's utilitarianism is hedonistic.
6. criticism of Ben- impossible to compare pleasures, only accounts for quan-
tham's utility cal- tity of pleasure rather than quality
culus
7. What does it An object, or an action, has utility if it helps to bring about
mean to say that something we want/are aiming for.
an object/action However, in order for objects and actions to have utility, we
has utility? must have goals and desires in the first place.
8. What does it Bentham and Mill claim that the ultimate aim of our action
mean to max- is pleasure (which they equate to happiness). In this way,
imise utility? because an action has utility if it helps to bring about
something we are aiming for, to maximise utility would
mean to maximise pleasure and minimise pain. Therefore,
the more an action brings about happiness, the more it
, Utilitarianism
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_c1k3hj
maximises utility, the more moral worth it has. This is the
utility principle.
9. What does it This kind of ethical theory makes judgments about per-
mean to say that sons rather than actions. Utilitarianism does not apply to
an ethical theory this because it focuses on the consequences of actions,
is agent centred? no matter whether the action interferes with a person's
moral integrity, freedom or partiality.
10. What is a teleo- A theory which claims that the end product of our actions
logical theory? is to maximise pleasure. The word 'telos' means goal - in
this way, utilitarianism is a teleological theory because it
focuses on the consequences and goals of our actions
rather than the intentions or the act itself.
11. What does it A theory which argues that moral judgements should be
mean to say solely based on outcomes of actions, not the action itself,
an ethical theory is consequentialist. "the ends justify the means"
is consequential-
ist?
12. Hedonistic humans desire pleasure and seek to avoid pain. "Nature
has placed mankind under the governance of two sover-
eign masters, pain and pleasure."
13. Define Act Utili- Act utilitarianism is a consequentialist ethical theory,
tarian meaning that moral judgements should be solely based
on outcomes. It is also hedonistic, and follows the idea
that humans desire pleasure and seek to avoid pain. Its
main focus in deciding what makes an act moral is on the
consequences of an action in each specific instance.
14. Why did Ben- He proposes that "Nature has placed mankind under the
tham focus on governance of two sovereign masters, pain and plea-
the pleasure? sure.". For Bentham, as a psychological hedonist, the
descriptive theory of human motivation was of great im-
portance for proving that our actions are aimed at pleasure
and avoiding pain, as it is the moral thing to do. Bentham
wrote primarily for governments for this reason in order to
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