Social Contract Theory and Utilitarianism

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of Mill's utilitarianism?

Maximizing pleasures (correct)

Balancing pleasure and pain

Maximizing wealth

Minimizing suffering

Mill argues that all pleasures are of equal value regardless of their source.

False

According to Mill, what determines the quality of pleasure?

Preference test by competent judges

Mill believes that higher pleasures are __________ than lower pleasures.

more valuable Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of pleasures with their characteristics:

Higher pleasures = Produced by intellectual, emotional, moral, and imaginative capacities Lower pleasures = Rudimentary sensual experiences Competent judges = Decide on the higher pleasures Preference test = Determines the quality of pleasure Signup and view all the answers

According to Social Contract Theory, how is morality determined?

It is agreed upon through a hypothetical social contract. Signup and view all the answers

Hobbes believes that human beings are unequal in physical and intellectual capacities.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the three causes of conflict according to Hobbes?

Competition, Defense, Glory Signup and view all the answers

In Hobbes' view, the state of nature is characterized as a state of __________.

war Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the relationship between the actual rules of society and the hypothetical social contract?

The actual rules may result from historical and structural oppression. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of conflict with their descriptions:

Competition = Competing for scarce resources Defense = Pre-emptive violence due to fear Glory = Seeking reputation through conquest Signup and view all the answers

Fear is a significant element in Hobbes' state of nature.

True Signup and view all the answers

Individuals share roughly the same interests in attaining goods necessary for __________ and flourishing.

survival Signup and view all the answers

What is the main principle of Utilitarianism according to Bentham?

Maximize pleasure Signup and view all the answers

The principle of utility posits that we should maximize pain and minimize pleasure.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does Bentham identify as the ultimate good?

The pleasures of sentient creatures Signup and view all the answers

According to Bentham, morality must be based on _____ principles.

firm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the properties Bentham identified to measure pleasure and pain?

Prevalence Signup and view all the answers

Match the following Bentham's properties of pleasure and pain with their descriptions:

Intensity = How strong will the expected pleasure be? Duration = How long will the expected pleasure last? Certainty = How certain are we that the expected pleasure will happen? Extent = How many sentient beings will be affected? Signup and view all the answers

The principle of sympathy and antipathy evaluates actions based only on measurable outcomes.

False Signup and view all the answers

Name one of the moral principles Bentham compares to the principle of utility.

The principle of ascetism Signup and view all the answers

According to Mill, which of the following is a reason to accept capital punishment?

People fear death more than they fear prison. Signup and view all the answers

Mill believes that life imprisonment is a miserable life and less harmful to the murderer than capital punishment.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in Mill's Proof of Principle of Utility?

Happiness Is Desirable Signup and view all the answers

According to Mill, the death penalty is the _ fear but the _ harm.

greater, lesser Signup and view all the answers

Match the following objections to Utilitarianism with their explanations:

Narrowness objection = Too narrow; focuses solely on happiness Agency objection = Questions the value of pleasure as the sole good Signup and view all the answers

What does Mill mean by 'General Happiness Is a Good to the Aggregate of All People'?

It suggests that the happiness of the majority outweighs individual struggles. Signup and view all the answers

The objections to Utilitarianism state that it promotes individual happiness over general happiness.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Agency objection' question within Utilitarianism?

The value of pleasure as the sole good. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a criticism of utilitarianism related to excessive demands placed on individuals?

Over-demandingness objection Signup and view all the answers

The agent-centered responsibility holds that duties depend on individual relationships.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for actions that go above and beyond the basic call of duty?

Supererogation Signup and view all the answers

Utilitarianism may lead to ______ implications, suggesting actions that could result in injustice.

counterintuitive Signup and view all the answers

Match the following criticisms of utilitarianism with their descriptions:

Over-demandingness objection = Imposing excessive moral obligations Supererogation objection = Actions beyond moral duty Quality objection = Judgment based on diversity of pleasures Negative responsibility = Accountability for inaction as well as action Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'negative responsibility' refer to in the context of utilitarianism?

Responsibility for the consequences of inaction Signup and view all the answers

Rule utilitarianism suggests that strict adherence to rules will not necessarily maximize happiness.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the 'Quality objection' in utilitarianism?

Consensus on pleasures Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Morality is based on a hypothetical agreement between people as equals, but actual societal rules might not reflect this ideal
Social Contract Theory emphasizes the importance of considering whether our current rules align with the hypothetical agreement.

Humans are roughly equal in abilities, leading to competition for resources, fear of attack, and a desire for power.
The "state of nature" for Hobbes is a constant state of war, where everyone fears being attacked. This fear is rooted in the possibility of being defeated and losing the necessities for survival.

Utilitarianism: Bentham

Morality is determined by the principle of utility, which seeks to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.
The "equality of consideration" principle states that every individual's pleasure and pain should be considered equally, regardless of their status or position.
Bentham's argument for utilitarianism rejects other moral principles like asceticism (maximizing pain) and sympathy/antipathy (actions based on feelings).

Measuring Pleasure and Pain (Bentham)

Seven properties are used to measure pleasure and pain: intensity, duration, certainty, remoteness, fecundity, purity, and extent.
Fecundity refers to the likelihood of a pleasure being followed by other pleasures, and purity relates to the likelihood of a pleasure not followed by pain.
Extent refers to the number of people affected by the pleasure or pain.

Utilitarianism: Mill

Mill addresses the concern that utilitarianism seems to equate simple pleasures with sophisticated human experiences.
He argues that there are higher pleasures associated with human intellectual, emotional, moral, and imaginative capacities.
These higher pleasures are not simply more intense but qualitatively different.
Mill proposes a "preference test" where competent judges decide the quality of pleasure, with higher pleasures not being traded for lower ones.

Applying Utilitarianism: Capital Punishment (Mill)

Mill argues for the death penalty based on its deterrent effect and its minimization of harm to the criminal.
The death penalty is considered a greater deterrent than life imprisonment, as it offers a more significant fear.
Mill contends that death is less harmful to the criminal than life imprisonment, as it prevents them from experiencing a miserable life.

Mill's Proof of the Principle of Utility

Happiness is desirable, meaning it is a good thing.
General happiness is a good for all people, assuming it does not undermine the happiness of individuals.

Objections to Utilitarianism and Responses

Theory of the Good

Narrowness objection: Utilitarianism focuses solely on pleasure and pain, neglecting other values like friendship, wisdom, or knowledge.
Agency objection: If pleasure is the only thing that matters, is there really any difference between being a person and being a machine designed to experience pleasure?
Evil pleasures objection: Does utilitarianism allow for the justification of evil actions if they bring pleasure to the perpetrator?
Quality objection: How can we practically determine which pleasures are "higher" and should be prioritized?

Theory of the Right

Over-demandingness objection: Utilitarianism seems to require us constantly strive for the greatest good, leading to an overwhelming sense of responsibility.
Supererogation objection: Utilitarianism doesn't seem to allow for actions that go above and beyond what is required, leaving no room for heroism or selfless acts.
Negative responsibility: Utilitarianism implies that we are as responsible for the harm we fail to prevent as for the harm we actively cause.
Agent-centered responsibility: Utilitarianism struggles to account for duties specific to relationships, like the obligations we have to family or friends.
Counterintuitive implications: In some cases, utilitarianism might suggest actions that seem unjust, leading to ethical dilemmas.

Addressing Objections: Act vs. Rule Utilitarianism

Act utilitarianism: Determines the morality of an action based on its direct consequences.
Rule utilitarianism: Focuses on following general rules that, if followed by everyone, would lead to the greatest happiness.
Rule utilitarianism aims to prevent the ethical dilemmas of act utilitarianism by adhering to established rules.

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Description

Explore the foundational concepts of Social Contract Theory and Utilitarianism. This quiz will examine the ideas of Hobbes regarding the state of nature and Bentham's principle of utility, emphasizing how they shape our understanding of morality in society.

Social Contract Theory and Utilitarianism

Podcast Beta

Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of Mill's utilitarianism?

Mill argues that all pleasures are of equal value regardless of their source.

According to Mill, what determines the quality of pleasure?

Mill believes that higher pleasures are __________ than lower pleasures.

Match the following types of pleasures with their characteristics:

According to Social Contract Theory, how is morality determined?

Hobbes believes that human beings are unequal in physical and intellectual capacities.

What are the three causes of conflict according to Hobbes?

In Hobbes' view, the state of nature is characterized as a state of __________.

Which of the following accurately describes the relationship between the actual rules of society and the hypothetical social contract?

Match the following types of conflict with their descriptions:

Fear is a significant element in Hobbes' state of nature.

Individuals share roughly the same interests in attaining goods necessary for __________ and flourishing.

What is the main principle of Utilitarianism according to Bentham?

The principle of utility posits that we should maximize pain and minimize pleasure.

What does Bentham identify as the ultimate good?

According to Bentham, morality must be based on _____ principles.

Which of the following is NOT one of the properties Bentham identified to measure pleasure and pain?

Match the following Bentham's properties of pleasure and pain with their descriptions:

The principle of sympathy and antipathy evaluates actions based only on measurable outcomes.

Name one of the moral principles Bentham compares to the principle of utility.

According to Mill, which of the following is a reason to accept capital punishment?

Mill believes that life imprisonment is a miserable life and less harmful to the murderer than capital punishment.

What is the first step in Mill's Proof of Principle of Utility?

According to Mill, the death penalty is the _ fear but the _ harm.

Match the following objections to Utilitarianism with their explanations:

What does Mill mean by 'General Happiness Is a Good to the Aggregate of All People'?

The objections to Utilitarianism state that it promotes individual happiness over general happiness.

What does the 'Agency objection' question within Utilitarianism?

Which of the following is a criticism of utilitarianism related to excessive demands placed on individuals?

The agent-centered responsibility holds that duties depend on individual relationships.

What is the term for actions that go above and beyond the basic call of duty?

Utilitarianism may lead to ______ implications, suggesting actions that could result in injustice.

Match the following criticisms of utilitarianism with their descriptions:

What does the 'negative responsibility' refer to in the context of utilitarianism?

Rule utilitarianism suggests that strict adherence to rules will not necessarily maximize happiness.

What is the primary focus of the 'Quality objection' in utilitarianism?

Study Notes