The document discusses utilitarianism and Bentham's act utilitarian theory. It provides an overview of key concepts in Bentham's theory, including the principle of utility which states an action is right if it promotes the greatest happiness for the greatest number. Bentham believed happiness was equivalent to pleasure and pain avoidance. His hedonic calculus provided a method to measure pleasure and pain from consequences to determine a morally right action. The document also discusses strengths and weaknesses of Bentham's utilitarian approach.
The Patriot Act The primary function of the USA Patriot Act is sta.docxarnoldmeredith47041
The Patriot Act The primary function of the USA Patriot Act is stated in its full title: "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism." To this end, it has expanded "law enforcement investigatory tools," including surveillance of individuals.
Those in support of the Act often argue that the loss of privacy brought about by the collection of information on individuals that the Act allows is far preferable to even one terrorist attack on US soil. It is what best promotes the general welfare or well-being of the population affected by the Act. Do you agree?
For your convenience, here are some links where you can find additional information on the Patriot Act:
FinCEN USA PATRIOT Act
National security versus individual freedom: Surveillance and the Patriot Act
The Patriot Act and Consequences
For both those who argue in favor of the Patriot Act and those against it, a key matter is: What are the consequences of implementing the policy? Does this Act lead to better outcomes than alternative policies? If so, it is the right policy. If not, it is the wrong policy. That is a moral evaluation. It is dependent on the assessment of outcomes or consequences. Thinking about the rightness of actions in terms of the desirability or undesirability of their consequences for those whose lives are affected is characteristic of utilitarianism.
Many of you are familiar with the phrases “outcomes assessment” and “process and outcomes assessment.” They or their synonyms are used broadly today in education, business, government, engineering, health care, and the military, to name just a few areas. Whenever you hear of measurement of outcomes, you know that an issue is being approached in terms of the theory of utility, an extraordinarily influential theory of ethics. The point of the interaction section below is to bring to your attention important elements in how the two most significant proponents of the theory, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, framed the theory and how it could be useful for case discussion.
Utilitarianism and Social Progress
We begin, with this module, our examination of the major approaches to ethical reflection, approaches that you will be expected to apply to cases. The module contents focus on providing you with commentary that is based on primary sources; that is, on the writings of the thinkers who articulated and developed the various moral theories we apply in cases. This is intended to complement the textbook presentation of major approaches to ethical reflection.
Welfare, well-being, the good, benefit, happiness are all going to be treated as near synonyms. They are what utility is. In line with 18th-century Enlightenment thinking, the utilitarians believed in the power of reason to overcome the dead weight of customs and prejudices. Their goal was not disruption for its own sake, but the improvement of the lot of humanity. Jeremy Bentham was a utilitarian wh.
The Patriot Act The primary function of the USA Patriot Act is sta.docxarnoldmeredith47041
The Patriot Act The primary function of the USA Patriot Act is stated in its full title: "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism." To this end, it has expanded "law enforcement investigatory tools," including surveillance of individuals.
Those in support of the Act often argue that the loss of privacy brought about by the collection of information on individuals that the Act allows is far preferable to even one terrorist attack on US soil. It is what best promotes the general welfare or well-being of the population affected by the Act. Do you agree?
For your convenience, here are some links where you can find additional information on the Patriot Act:
FinCEN USA PATRIOT Act
National security versus individual freedom: Surveillance and the Patriot Act
The Patriot Act and Consequences
For both those who argue in favor of the Patriot Act and those against it, a key matter is: What are the consequences of implementing the policy? Does this Act lead to better outcomes than alternative policies? If so, it is the right policy. If not, it is the wrong policy. That is a moral evaluation. It is dependent on the assessment of outcomes or consequences. Thinking about the rightness of actions in terms of the desirability or undesirability of their consequences for those whose lives are affected is characteristic of utilitarianism.
Many of you are familiar with the phrases “outcomes assessment” and “process and outcomes assessment.” They or their synonyms are used broadly today in education, business, government, engineering, health care, and the military, to name just a few areas. Whenever you hear of measurement of outcomes, you know that an issue is being approached in terms of the theory of utility, an extraordinarily influential theory of ethics. The point of the interaction section below is to bring to your attention important elements in how the two most significant proponents of the theory, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, framed the theory and how it could be useful for case discussion.
Utilitarianism and Social Progress
We begin, with this module, our examination of the major approaches to ethical reflection, approaches that you will be expected to apply to cases. The module contents focus on providing you with commentary that is based on primary sources; that is, on the writings of the thinkers who articulated and developed the various moral theories we apply in cases. This is intended to complement the textbook presentation of major approaches to ethical reflection.
Welfare, well-being, the good, benefit, happiness are all going to be treated as near synonyms. They are what utility is. In line with 18th-century Enlightenment thinking, the utilitarians believed in the power of reason to overcome the dead weight of customs and prejudices. Their goal was not disruption for its own sake, but the improvement of the lot of humanity. Jeremy Bentham was a utilitarian wh.
On Utilitarianism Essay
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Essay about Utilitarianism
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This is the course on Medical/clinical ethics presented to the MBE (Master of Bioethics) students at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University. It includes the main topics only. Please note that the sources of almost all slides are listed as links at the bottom of the slide itself.
Define Utilitarianism and tell me about Jeremy Bentham. Does the Un.docxvickeryr87
Define Utilitarianism and tell me about Jeremy Bentham. Does the United States military endorse this view of Ethical thinking? What are your feelings on the "Greater Good for Most" theory, do you agree with this theory? around 200-300 words.
Discussion
Need Soon.
Check it below for reference.
UTILITARIANISM
Utilitarianism
is the moral doctrine that we should always act to produce the greatest possible balance of good over bad for everyone affected by our actions. By “good,” utilitarians understand happiness or pleasure. Thus, the greatest happiness of all constitutes the standard that determines whether an action is right or wrong. Although the basic theme of utilitarianism is present in the writings of many earlier thinkers, Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) were the first to develop the theory explicitly and in detail. Both Bentham and Mill were philosophers with a strong interest in legal and social reform. They used the utilitarian standard to evaluate and criticize the social and political institutions of their day—for example, the prison system and the disenfranchisement of women. As a result, utilitarianism has long been associated with social improvement.
Utilitarianism tells us to bring about the most happiness for everyone affected by our actions.
Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill were important early utilitarians.
Bentham viewed a community as no more than the individual persons that it comprises. The interests of the community are simply the sum of the interests of its members. An action promotes the interests of an individual when it adds to the individual’s pleasure or diminishes the person’s pain. Correspondingly, an action augments the happiness of a community only insofar as it increases the total amount of individual happiness. This is what Bentham had in mind when he argued for the utilitarian principle that actions are right if they promote the greatest human welfare, wrong if they do not.
For Bentham, pleasure and pain are merely types of sensations. He offered a “hedonic calculus” of six criteria for evaluating pleasure and pain exclusively by their quantitative differences—in particular, by their intensity and duration. This calculus, he believed, makes possible an objective determination of the morality of anyone’s conduct, individual or collective, on any occasion.
Bentham rejected any distinctions based on the type of pleasure except insofar as they might indicate differences in quantity. Thus, if equal amounts of pleasure are involved, throwing darts is as good as writing poetry and baking a cake as good as composing a symphony; watching Shakespeare’s
Hamlet
has no more value than watching
Jersey Shore.
Although he himself was an intelligent, cultivated man, Bentham maintained that there is nothing intrinsically better about refined and intellectual pleasures than about crude or prosaic ones. The only issue is which yields the greater amount of enjoyment.
John Stuart Mi.
Final Project In this two-phased final assignment, students wil.docxAKHIL969626
Final Project:
In this two-phased final assignment, students will select a topic from the Unique Ethical Issues from weeks 3, 5, and 7, research the topic and discuss the ethical dilemma in detail.
Phase 1:
In week 4, students will submit to the Assignment Folder a brief one page paper that identifies the unique ethical issue, the ethical dilemma and the traditional theories that will be used to suggest potential resolution of the dilemmas.
Phase 2:
Required Elements of Final Project:
· Using the information from Phase 1, students will thoroughly research the topic and define the ethical concerns in detail.
· Using two of the traditional theories from week 2, suggest potential resolutions to the dilemma(s)
· In the discussion of the resolution, include the impact that ethical relativism and globalization may have upon the suggested dilemma resolution.
· Select the best resolution and explain in detail why.
Required Formatting of Final Project:
This paper should be double-spaced, 12-point font, and six to eight pages in length excluding the title page and reference page;
Title page;
Introductory paragraph and a summary paragraph;
Use headings to demarcate your discussion;
Write in the third person;
Use APA formatting for in-text citations and a reference page. You are expected to paraphrase and not use quotes. Deductions will be taken when quotes are used and found to be unnecessary;
Submit the paper in the Assignment Folder.
Theories from Week 2
TELEOLOGICAL - This describes an ethical theory which judges the rightness of an action in terms of an external goal or purpose. So, according to a teleological theory, consequences always play some part, be it small or large, in the determination of what one should or should not do. Not all teleological theories are consequentialist. John Rawls' theory of justice is teleological, but not consequentialist because it claims that consequences are only part of what must be considered when determining what policy is morally just. (Rawls)
Benefits - 1. There is room in some theories for good intentions, even if the action didn’t active the desired end. 2. Active attempt to connect morality with the “real” world. 3. By allowing for the consideration of consequences, teleological theories can adapt to different circumstances and situations. (Also see “utilitarianism”)
Problems - Depends on the theory. See “utilitarianism” for an example.
CONSEQUENTIALIST - Under a consequentialist theory, the consequences of an action determine its moral value. A key question in consequentialist theory is how to measure the moral worth of the consequences. Consequences can be good, neutral, or evil. Another relevant question is which consequences count (intended or actual). If only actual consequences count, then do all consequences count? Consequences can be distinguished by direct/indirect, individuals/objects affected, influence of complicating factors, etc.
All of these conside ...
On Utilitarianism Essay
Essay on Utilitarianism
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Essay on Utilitarism
Essay about Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism Essay
Utilitarianism
Essay on Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism Essay
Essay on Utilitarianism
Discussion of Utilitarianism Essay examples
This is the course on Medical/clinical ethics presented to the MBE (Master of Bioethics) students at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University. It includes the main topics only. Please note that the sources of almost all slides are listed as links at the bottom of the slide itself.
Define Utilitarianism and tell me about Jeremy Bentham. Does the Un.docxvickeryr87
Define Utilitarianism and tell me about Jeremy Bentham. Does the United States military endorse this view of Ethical thinking? What are your feelings on the "Greater Good for Most" theory, do you agree with this theory? around 200-300 words.
Discussion
Need Soon.
Check it below for reference.
UTILITARIANISM
Utilitarianism
is the moral doctrine that we should always act to produce the greatest possible balance of good over bad for everyone affected by our actions. By “good,” utilitarians understand happiness or pleasure. Thus, the greatest happiness of all constitutes the standard that determines whether an action is right or wrong. Although the basic theme of utilitarianism is present in the writings of many earlier thinkers, Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) were the first to develop the theory explicitly and in detail. Both Bentham and Mill were philosophers with a strong interest in legal and social reform. They used the utilitarian standard to evaluate and criticize the social and political institutions of their day—for example, the prison system and the disenfranchisement of women. As a result, utilitarianism has long been associated with social improvement.
Utilitarianism tells us to bring about the most happiness for everyone affected by our actions.
Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill were important early utilitarians.
Bentham viewed a community as no more than the individual persons that it comprises. The interests of the community are simply the sum of the interests of its members. An action promotes the interests of an individual when it adds to the individual’s pleasure or diminishes the person’s pain. Correspondingly, an action augments the happiness of a community only insofar as it increases the total amount of individual happiness. This is what Bentham had in mind when he argued for the utilitarian principle that actions are right if they promote the greatest human welfare, wrong if they do not.
For Bentham, pleasure and pain are merely types of sensations. He offered a “hedonic calculus” of six criteria for evaluating pleasure and pain exclusively by their quantitative differences—in particular, by their intensity and duration. This calculus, he believed, makes possible an objective determination of the morality of anyone’s conduct, individual or collective, on any occasion.
Bentham rejected any distinctions based on the type of pleasure except insofar as they might indicate differences in quantity. Thus, if equal amounts of pleasure are involved, throwing darts is as good as writing poetry and baking a cake as good as composing a symphony; watching Shakespeare’s
Hamlet
has no more value than watching
Jersey Shore.
Although he himself was an intelligent, cultivated man, Bentham maintained that there is nothing intrinsically better about refined and intellectual pleasures than about crude or prosaic ones. The only issue is which yields the greater amount of enjoyment.
John Stuart Mi.
Final Project In this two-phased final assignment, students wil.docxAKHIL969626
Final Project:
In this two-phased final assignment, students will select a topic from the Unique Ethical Issues from weeks 3, 5, and 7, research the topic and discuss the ethical dilemma in detail.
Phase 1:
In week 4, students will submit to the Assignment Folder a brief one page paper that identifies the unique ethical issue, the ethical dilemma and the traditional theories that will be used to suggest potential resolution of the dilemmas.
Phase 2:
Required Elements of Final Project:
· Using the information from Phase 1, students will thoroughly research the topic and define the ethical concerns in detail.
· Using two of the traditional theories from week 2, suggest potential resolutions to the dilemma(s)
· In the discussion of the resolution, include the impact that ethical relativism and globalization may have upon the suggested dilemma resolution.
· Select the best resolution and explain in detail why.
Required Formatting of Final Project:
This paper should be double-spaced, 12-point font, and six to eight pages in length excluding the title page and reference page;
Title page;
Introductory paragraph and a summary paragraph;
Use headings to demarcate your discussion;
Write in the third person;
Use APA formatting for in-text citations and a reference page. You are expected to paraphrase and not use quotes. Deductions will be taken when quotes are used and found to be unnecessary;
Submit the paper in the Assignment Folder.
Theories from Week 2
TELEOLOGICAL - This describes an ethical theory which judges the rightness of an action in terms of an external goal or purpose. So, according to a teleological theory, consequences always play some part, be it small or large, in the determination of what one should or should not do. Not all teleological theories are consequentialist. John Rawls' theory of justice is teleological, but not consequentialist because it claims that consequences are only part of what must be considered when determining what policy is morally just. (Rawls)
Benefits - 1. There is room in some theories for good intentions, even if the action didn’t active the desired end. 2. Active attempt to connect morality with the “real” world. 3. By allowing for the consideration of consequences, teleological theories can adapt to different circumstances and situations. (Also see “utilitarianism”)
Problems - Depends on the theory. See “utilitarianism” for an example.
CONSEQUENTIALIST - Under a consequentialist theory, the consequences of an action determine its moral value. A key question in consequentialist theory is how to measure the moral worth of the consequences. Consequences can be good, neutral, or evil. Another relevant question is which consequences count (intended or actual). If only actual consequences count, then do all consequences count? Consequences can be distinguished by direct/indirect, individuals/objects affected, influence of complicating factors, etc.
All of these conside ...
Core technology of Hyundai Motor Group's EV platform 'E-GMP'Hyundai Motor Group
What’s the force behind Hyundai Motor Group's EV performance and quality?
Maximized driving performance and quick charging time through high-density battery pack and fast charging technology and applicable to various vehicle types!
Discover more about Hyundai Motor Group’s EV platform ‘E-GMP’!
Symptoms like intermittent starting and key recognition errors signal potential problems with your Mercedes’ EIS. Use diagnostic steps like error code checks and spare key tests. Professional diagnosis and solutions like EIS replacement ensure safe driving. Consult a qualified technician for accurate diagnosis and repair.
In this presentation, we have discussed a very important feature of BMW X5 cars… the Comfort Access. Things that can significantly limit its functionality. And things that you can try to restore the functionality of such a convenient feature of your vehicle.
What Exactly Is The Common Rail Direct Injection System & How Does It WorkMotor Cars International
Learn about Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDi) - the revolutionary technology that has made diesel engines more efficient. Explore its workings, advantages like enhanced fuel efficiency and increased power output, along with drawbacks such as complexity and higher initial cost. Compare CRDi with traditional diesel engines and discover why it's the preferred choice for modern engines.
What Does the Active Steering Malfunction Warning Mean for Your BMWTanner Motors
Discover the reasons why your BMW’s Active Steering malfunction warning might come on. From electrical glitches to mechanical failures and software anomalies, addressing these promptly with professional inspection and maintenance ensures continued safety and performance on the road, maintaining the integrity of your driving experience.
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Experiencing difficulty opening your BMW X3's hood? This guide explores potential issues like mechanical obstruction, hood release mechanism failure, electrical problems, and emergency release malfunctions. Troubleshooting tips include basic checks, clearing obstructions, applying pressure, and using the emergency release.
What Does the PARKTRONIC Inoperative, See Owner's Manual Message Mean for You...Autohaus Service and Sales
Learn what "PARKTRONIC Inoperative, See Owner's Manual" means for your Mercedes-Benz. This message indicates a malfunction in the parking assistance system, potentially due to sensor issues or electrical faults. Prompt attention is crucial to ensure safety and functionality. Follow steps outlined for diagnosis and repair in the owner's manual.
Things to remember while upgrading the brakes of your carjennifermiller8137
Upgrading the brakes of your car? Keep these things in mind before doing so. Additionally, start using an OBD 2 GPS tracker so that you never miss a vehicle maintenance appointment. On top of this, a car GPS tracker will also let you master good driving habits that will let you increase the operational life of your car’s brakes.
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IBS monitors and manages your BMW’s battery performance. If it malfunctions, you will have to deal with an array of electrical issues in your vehicle. Recognize warning signs like dimming headlights, frequent battery replacements, and electrical malfunctions to address potential IBS issues promptly.
Comprehensive program for Agricultural Finance, the Automotive Sector, and Empowerment . We will define the full scope and provide a detailed two-week plan for identifying strategic partners in each area within Limpopo, including target areas.:
1. Agricultural : Supporting Primary and Secondary Agriculture
• Scope: Provide support solutions to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.
• Target Areas: Polokwane, Tzaneen, Thohoyandou, Makhado, and Giyani.
2. Automotive Sector: Partnerships with Mechanics and Panel Beater Shops
• Scope: Develop collaborations with automotive service providers to improve service quality and business operations.
• Target Areas: Polokwane, Lephalale, Mokopane, Phalaborwa, and Bela-Bela.
3. Empowerment : Focusing on Women Empowerment
• Scope: Provide business support support and training to women-owned businesses, promoting economic inclusion.
• Target Areas: Polokwane, Thohoyandou, Musina, Burgersfort, and Louis Trichardt.
We will also prioritize Industrial Economic Zone areas and their priorities.
Sign up on https://profilesmes.online/welcome/
To be eligible:
1. You must have a registered business and operate in Limpopo
2. Generate revenue
3. Sectors : Agriculture ( primary and secondary) and Automative
Women and Youth are encouraged to apply even if you don't fall in those sectors.
"Trans Failsafe Prog" on your BMW X5 indicates potential transmission issues requiring immediate action. This safety feature activates in response to abnormalities like low fluid levels, leaks, faulty sensors, electrical or mechanical failures, and overheating.
𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙨. 𝙒𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙗𝙪𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙪𝙨.
Over the 10 years, we have gained a strong foothold in the market due to our range's high quality, competitive prices, and time-lined delivery schedules.
1. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Utilitarianism
Bentham’s Act Utilitarianism
2. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Questions asked of any moral theory
• Derivation: How is the value or norm (idea of
goodness) derived?
• Application: How easy is the norm to apply to
real world situations?
• Realism: How realistic is the theory in its view
of human nature?
• Motivation: How does this theory answer the
question: why should I be moral?
Acronym D.A.R.M learn and apply to any theory
3. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Learning Objectives:-
1. To understand the ‘greatest happiness
principle’.
2. To understand the similarities and
differences between Bentham and Mill.
3. Understand the distinction between Act and
Rule Utilitarianism.
4. Discuss how appropriate these labels are
for Bentham and Mill.
5. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of
Utilitarianism.
4. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Lesson aims
• To understand the principle of utility.
• To be able to explain the significance
of the hedonic calculus.
• To be confident applying Jeremy
Bentham’s utilitarianism theory.
• To understand what ‘Act Utilitarianism’
means.
5. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Utilitarianism: a brief introduction
• A teleological theory. But, what does
this mean?
• Teleological theories look at the
consequences- the results of an action-
to decide whether it is right or wrong.
• Consequentialist theory- someone who
decides whether an action is good or
bad by its consequences.
6. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Three possibilities
Utilitarianism
Act Utilitarianism Rule Utilitarianism Preference Utilitarianism
•Jeremy Bentham
•Hedonistic
(pleasure based)
•Focus on actions
•J.S.Mill
•Rules create the
greatest happiness
•Peter Singer
•Maximise people’s
first choices
7. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)
• He was concerned with
social and legal reform & he
wanted to develop an ethical
theory which established
whether something was
good or bad according to its
benefit for the majority of
people.
• He called this the principle of
utility.
• Utility = the usefulness of
the results of actions.
8. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Bentham: main points
• Bentham equated happiness with pleasure and the
absence of pain.
• This was an empirical observation - people desire
pleasure and seek to avoid pain.
• His scientific mind led him to believe that the study of
ethics could be undertaken in a practical way,
carefully measuring the possible consequences or
outcomes of an action before deciding which choice
to take.
• Bentham’s theories led to extensive social reform
affecting Parliament, criminal law, the jury system,
prisons, savings banks, and cheap postage.
• Bentham believed in equality: all people “to count as
one and no-one as more than one” when making
laws. His hedonic calculus was especially helpful in
determining how to measure different amounts of
pleasure.
9. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Principle of Utility: deriving the norm
Often expressed as
“the greatest good of the
greatest number”
Good = happiness or pleasure. So, an act is right or
wrong according to the good or bad results that results
from the act and the good act is the most pleasurable.
Quantitative= focuses on the greatest number.
10. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Principle of Utility: applying the norm
• The theory is based on ancient hedonism
(pleasure seeking), which pursued physical
pleasure and avoided physical pain.
• Moral acts= maximise pleasure/ minimise
pain utilitarian calculus.
• So, an act = moral, if it brings the greatest
amount of pleasure and least pain.
• Problem: suppose I think pain is good and
pleasure bad, like the Puritans or Da Vinci
Code flagellant?
11. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Bentham: applying the norm contd
• The principle of utility aims to promote happiness
which is the supreme ethical value.
“Nature has placed us under the governance of
two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure.”
An act is ‘right’ if it delivers more pleasure than pain
and ‘wrong’ if it brings about more pain than
pleasure.
• Simple equation
Happiness = pleasure minus pain.
12. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Problem: Are happiness and pleasure the
same?
• “Actions are right in proportion
when they tend to promote
happiness, wrong when they
tend to produce the reverse of
happiness.”
• According to Bentham's
theory, the rightness of an
action entirely depends on the
value of its consequences.
That is why the theory is also
described as consequentialist.
• Problem: are happiness and
pleasure the same thing?
13. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Exercise: think of four features
of hedonism (pleasure-seeking)
HEDONISM
14. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Historical basis in Greek philosophy
• Utilitarianism a Hedonistic theory.
• This is based on the idea that ‘good’ is defined in
terms of pleasure/ happiness.
• Greek Philosophers-- Plato and Aristotle both argued
that ‘good’ equated with the greatest happiness (BUT
eudaimonia is a richer idea = flourishing).
• While Epicureans stressed pleasure as the main aim
of life.
• Pleasure is NOT the same as happiness, as
happiness results from the use of reason and
cultivating the virtues to produce eudaimonia or
flourishing.
• It is only if we take pleasure in good activities that
pleasure itself is good.
15. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Exercise: You have 30 happiness points
to distribute across nine things.
• Draw four columns marked “activity, my
score, average score, happy/sad?”
• Put these nine in the first column: clothes,
family, sport, religion, romance, study,
money, freedom. Allocate your points in col2
• Work out class average for col. 3.
• If that average is imposed on you, will you be
happy or sad (compare col 2 and 3)?
16. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Problem with utilitarianism
• What does this exercise suggest might
be a problem with utilitarianism? (Think
of Government policy on health,
education)
• See Jonathan Glover’s quote (on this
site, go to utilitarianism/evaluative
quotes)
17. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Bentham’s hedonic calculus
Helps us choose the good thing to do and work out the
possible consequences of an action.
P.R.R.I.C.E.D = acronym.
• Purity – how free from pain is it?
• Remoteness – how near is it?
• Richness*– to what extent will it lead to other pleasures?
• Intensity – how powerful is it?
• Certainty – how likely it is to result in pleasure?
• Extent – how many people does it affect?
• Duration – how long will it last?
* Note: Bentham calls richness fecundity
18. October 12, 2015 philosophicalinvestigations.co.uk
Now: apply this to euthanasia
• Bentham's Hedonic Calculus can be used to weigh
up the pleasure and pain caused by two courses of
action - in this case, helping someone to die, or not
doing so.
• Bentham would consider the Intensity of the pain and
its Duration. He would have to weigh that against the
number of people affected (Extent), and consider
whether keeping someone alive would lead to other
pleasures (Richness). He would also need to add up
the amount of other 'pains' the patient would face e.g.
loss of dignity (Purity), and consider the chances that
there' might be a cure or treatment in the future
(Certainty). The pain is immediate, while possible
future benefits are Remote.
• In most cases, the degree of pain is so great that
Bentham's theory would support euthanasia.
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A theory of Motivation
• According to Bentham, the key
psychological motivation is pleasure
and avoidance of pain.
• Duty was not important, as in Kantian
Ethics.
• Rules are not important, as Mill
suggested.
Q. what’s wrong with putting pleasure at
the centre of your ethics?
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Exercise: write an answer to these points
1. Are all actions only good because they have good results?
2. Suppose a surgeon could use the organs of one healthy patient to
save the lives of several others. Would the surgeon be justified in
killing the healthy patient for the sake of the others? NHS decisions?
3. Suppose an assault is committed that is thought to be racially
motivated. Riots are brewing that may result in many deaths and long
term racial antagonism. You are the police chief and have recently
taken a man into custody. Why not frame him? He will be imprisoned if
found guilty and this will result in peace and safety. Only you, the
innocent man and the real criminal (who will keep quiet), will know the
truth. What is the morally right thing to do? Similar to the case of
Rachel Nickel’s alleged killer, Colin Stagg, convicted though innocent
4. You are an army officer who has just captured an enemy soldier who
knows where a secret time bomb is planted. If it explodes it will kill
thousands. Will it be morally permissible to torture the solider so that
he reveals the bomb’s location?
If you knew where the soldier's children were, would it also be
permissible to torture them to get him to reveal the bomb’s
whereabouts? Similar to US Government policy of rendition (removing
terror suspects to countries that torture) following 9/11.
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Evaluation
• What are the strengths and
weaknesses of Bentham’s
consequentialist act utilitarian theory?
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Wrap up Bentham
• On the piece of paper/ post it note, write one thing
you have learned today…
• Could be a concept you are now familiar with.
• Or, a new key term in your vocabulary.
• A theory that you are more confident in
understanding.
• Developed an academic/exam skill.
• If nothing, be honest. But say why you feel nothing.