1. By the end of todays lesson you will have: Recapped/ revised
the key elements of utilitarianism V
2. Utilitarianism Teleological theory, it only looks at
consequences. Utilitarianism states that an action is right if it
produces the greatest good (happiness) for the greatest number. 3.
Act-utilitarianism: Looksat the consequences of aparticular
ACT-ifgreatest happiness forgreatest number that actis RIGHT. 4.
Bentham Act utilitarian Quantity ofhappiness Social reforme.g.
Prisonreform Hedonic Calculus 5. Nature has placedBentham mankind
under thegovernance of twosovereign masters, painand pleasure. It
is forthem alone to point outwhat we ought to do,as well as
determinewhat we shall do 6. Mill Rule utilitarian Quality of
happiness Better Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied;
better a man dissatisfied than a pig satisfied Harm principle 7.
Mill Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is
sovereign. 8. Rule UtilitarianismRule-utilitarianism: Decide on
rules, which are likely to lead to consequences of pleasure for
greatest number.LIE 9. STRONG Vs WEAK Rule- utilitarianismWeak rule
utilitarians (e.g. Mill) are prepared to break the rules V 10. Wedo
not always choose the higherpleasure (of the mind) over the
lowerpleasure (of the body.) E.g. you may cheat on the husband,whom
you love, for a handsome lover. Mill said that having a noble
characterleads to the worlds greater happiness.But this only works
if people becomenoble. 11. Preference utilitarianism Define the
best consequences in terms of preference Which outcome do I prefer?
What it is the best interests of all parties? 12. Singer:
preference utilitarianism Singer argues that it is preferences
rather than human life that we ought to value. Therefore animals
fall within our moral obligations since certain animals show
preferences e.g. to be with others of same species and to avoid
pain. It also means that killing a person who wanted to be killed
could be seen as a morally right action. 13. An action contrary
tothe preference of any being is, unless thispreference
isoutweighed bycontrary preferenceswrong. 14. Negative
utilitarianism To prevent the greatest amount of sufferingfor the
greatest number E.g. a starving community would benefit morefrom a
reduction in its suffering, by means offood and medical care, than
being sent DVDs 15. Advantages of utilitarianism It is easy to
demonstrate that Utilitarianism is fair, since its basic principles
are widely accepted. 16. Advantages of utilitarianism It does not
appear to require any prior beliefs about the nature of the world
or religion, and can be appreciated across different religions and
cultures. 17. Advantages of utilitarianism Utilitarianism is the
moral side of democracy. E.g. it is the basis for the NHS: care is
provided to improve the health of the population and if more money
is spent on the health service, people are healthier and therefore
happier. 18. Advantages of utilitarianism It relates to actions
which can be observed in the real world e.g. giving to charity
promotes happiness for poor people and is seen to be good, whereas
an act of cruelty is condemned as bad. 19. Advantages of
utilitarianism Its consequentialism is also a strength as when we
act it is only natural to weigh up the consequences. 20. Advantages
of utilitarianism Preference Utilitarianism also gives us the
valuable principle of standing in someone elses shoes (Hare). It is
important to think about others interests or preferences as long as
one also includes behaving justly. 21. Disadvantages of
utilitarianism Cant predict future (e.g. Doctor saving womanin
childbirth and saying, Youll be alright now,Mrs. Hitler) 22.
Disadvantages of utilitarianism Special responsibilities (e.g. save
drowning father or scientist with cure for cancer) 23.
Disadvantages of utilitarianism Justice e.g. utilitarian judge
could sentence an innocent person to death if it would restore law
and order 24. Warning!This power point does not contain all the
information required on this topic.You must still read around the
topic and use your class notes!
