Utilitarianism Principles and Theories

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Questions and Answers

What does the principle of Utilitarianism state about actions?

Actions are justified if they are well-intended.

Actions should only consider the immediate outcomes.

Actions are right if they promote happiness and wrong if they produce unhappiness. (correct)

Actions are wrong if they lead to unintended consequences.

Which factor does NOT influence the certainty that pleasure will materialize according to the given concepts?

The moral actor's prediction of consequences.

The probability that pleasure will lead to other pleasures.

The societal norms at the time of action. (correct)

The overall happiness produced by the action.

What does the term 'purity of pleasure' refer to in the context of Utilitarianism?

The extent to which pleasure affects happiness levels.

The chance that pain is experienced alongside pleasure. (correct)

The potential for pleasure to increase with sharing.

The likelihood that the pleasure will not be shared.

How does the concept of 'remoteness of pleasure sought' impact moral decision-making?

Distant pleasures complicate the evaluation of morality. Signup and view all the answers

What does the extent factor refer to when evaluating pleasure in Utilitarianism?

The number of people impacted by the pleasure. Signup and view all the answers

What does unhappiness represent in the context of pleasure?

The absence of pleasure Signup and view all the answers

According to Utilitarianism, why is happiness considered good?

People desire it as an end itself Signup and view all the answers

What is the greatest happiness principle (GHP) used for?

To determine the morality of actions based on pleasure and pain Signup and view all the answers

What types of sanctions can a moral agent encounter?

Both internal and external sanctions Signup and view all the answers

How does Utilitarianism treat the rights of the minority?

It often disregards minority rights for the majority's good Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes higher pleasures from lower pleasures in Utilitarianism?

Higher pleasures are more valuable than lower pleasures Signup and view all the answers

What is a scenario illustrating the potential conflict between happiness and property rights?

Building a highway through private lands Signup and view all the answers

In the framework of Act Utilitarianism, what is the primary focus of any action?

Maximizing overall happiness Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the First Principle of Justice?

Ensuring civil and political rights for all Signup and view all the answers

How does the Difference Principle justify inequalities in social and economic status?

They must benefit the least advantaged member of society. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Fair Equality of Opportunity Principle?

It advocates equal access to opportunities regardless of background. Signup and view all the answers

What do the 'arbitrary handicaps' refer to in the context of differing life prospects?

Societal influences that favor certain classes over others Signup and view all the answers

What attitude does the Difference Principle presuppose in decision-making?

A risk-averse or conservative attitude Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates higher pleasure from lower pleasure in Rule Utilitarianism?

Higher pleasure is superior and cannot be exchanged for any amount of lower pleasure. Signup and view all the answers

According to the principles of Rule Utilitarianism, who determines what constitutes higher and lower pleasures?

Experienced persons known as competent judges. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a key idea in Kantian Ethics?

Moral duty is fundamental to ethical actions. Signup and view all the answers

What does Kant mean by 'acting from a moral duty' as opposed to 'acting in conformity with a moral duty'?

Acting from a moral duty is motivated by a sense of obligation rather than personal gain. Signup and view all the answers

How do higher pleasures relate to human dignity according to Rule Utilitarianism?

The capacity to appreciate higher pleasures is connected to a person's sense of dignity. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it said that happiness is difficult to quantify in Mill's Utilitarianism?

Resources and time are insufficient for accurate predictions. Signup and view all the answers

In Kantian Ethics, what role does Pure Reason play in moral decisions?

It substitutes for empirical evidence and sensory facts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of the statement 'It is better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied'?

Knowledge and intellectual thriving contribute to a higher quality of life. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Principle of Universality primarily concerned with?

Acting according to maxims that apply universally Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best captures the Principle of Humanity?

Treating humanity as an end and not merely as a means Signup and view all the answers

How does Jeremy Bentham's hedonistic calculus assess actions?

By measuring the intrinsic goodness of actions based on pleasure Signup and view all the answers

Which criterion is included in Bentham's factors for determining Happiness Value?

Duration of pleasure Signup and view all the answers

What challenge is associated with interpersonal comparisons of utility?

Understanding quantitative values of pleasure Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'just' refer to in the Aristotelian concept of justice?

Lawfulness and fairness in actions Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT a factor in measuring pleasure according to Bentham?

Quality of the action Signup and view all the answers

In the context of moral decision-making, what is a significant challenge in knowing the preferences of others?

The overwhelming diversity of individual circumstances Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Utilitarianism

Actions are deemed right if they lead to overall happiness and wrong if they cause the opposite
Happiness signifies intended pleasure and absence of pain
Good is equivalent to happiness
Each individual's happiness is the summation of pleasure minus pain
General happiness encompasses the happiness enjoyed by a group of people

John Stuart Mill - Utilitarianism

Actions are right in proportion to their ability to promote happiness
Happiness is defined as intended pleasure and the absence of pain
People inherently desire happiness
There is no other reason to prove that happiness is good
Pleasures like virtue, health, and music are means to happiness, but can also be part of the end
Each person's level of happiness is the sum of pleasure minus pain suffered
Applying the Greatest Happiness Principle (GHP) to determine the morality of actions involves quantifying levels of pleasure and pain
The moral actor must act as a "disinterested and benevolent spectator," giving equal weight to their own pleasure/pain and others' experiences
Higher pleasures are more valuable than lower pleasures and cannot be exchanged for them
Humans possess a greater capacity for higher pleasure than animals
The capability to appreciate higher pleasure is linked to one's sense of dignity and environment

Problems with Mill's Utilitarianism

Happiness is difficult to quantify, making accurate predictions of action consequences challenging
Interpersonal comparisons of utility are impossible as knowing and understanding individual preferences is difficult
Determining the strength of preferences requires extensive moral imagination and depends on individual circumstances

Jeremy Bentham - Utilitarianism

Pleasure is an intrinsic good
Hedonistic calculus is used to determine the right action based on the happiness value of the action

Factors to determine Happiness Value

Intensity of Pleasure
Duration of Pleasure
Certainty that Pleasure will Materialize
Remoteness of Pleasure
Repeatability of the Pleasure
Purity of Pleasure (accompanied by pain)
Extent (number of people affected)

Why Act in accordance to GHP?

Negative consequences or sanctions may result from deviating from GHP
Moral actors may experience remorse or attacks on their conscience (internal sanctions)
External sanctions like disfavor from others, God, or the community (fines, imprisonment) may occur
Utilitarianism focuses on overall societal good, potentially disregarding the rights of the minority

Kantian Ethics (Immanuel Kant)

Focuses on pure reason, not empirical or sensory facts
Good Will is the "end in itself"
Each person possesses autonomy and freedom to act
Rational individuals have understanding, making their will driven by reason, not impulses
Deontological ethics, emphasizing moral duties
Moral duty forms the basis of actions, not inclinations or interests
Distinction between "acting from a moral duty" and "acting in conformity with a moral duty"

Categorical Imperatives

Rules are necessary without exception
Act only according to a maxim that you can simultaneously will to become universal law
Principle of Humanity: Treat humanity as an end and not as a means only

Principle of Humanity

Based on human dignity, recognizing people as rational beings and ends in themselves
Human beings are not objects used to achieve certain ends
Applied to the context of downsizing, requires sufficient notice, allowing employees to find new employment and offering reasonable separation packages

Theories of Justice - Aristotelian Concept of Justice

Just means lawful and fair
Justice is complete virtue and benefits others, not just oneself

Three Forms of Justice

Distributive Justice: Allocation of social goods
Corrective Justice: Remedy for wrongdoing
Retributive Justice: Punishment for wrongdoing

Two Principles of Justice (Rawls)

Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged to provide the greatest benefit to the least advantaged
First Principle of Justice: Principle of Equal Liberty
- Includes civil and political rights, like the right to vote, freedom of speech, assembly, conscience, and the right to hold property
- These liberties cannot be traded for greater socioeconomic advantage

Second Principle of Justice

Second Principle of Justice
- Difference Principle: The greatest benefit should accrue to the least advantaged member of society
- Fair Equality of Opportunity Principle: Everyone has the opportunity to develop their capacities
- Considered human goods

Differing Life Prospects

Individuals born into different socioeconomic classes have varying life prospects
This disparity can only be justified if the Difference Principle benefits the least advantaged
Aim is to alleviate arbitrary handicaps caused by initial starting positions in society

Difference Principle

Assumes a risk-averse or conservative decision-making approach
Known as the maximin approach, selecting the option where the worst possible outcome is better than any other alternative's potential outcomes

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Description

Explore the core principles of utilitarianism as presented by John Stuart Mill. This quiz will take you through the concept of happiness, the Greatest Happiness Principle, and the ethical implications of actions based on their outcomes. Test your understanding of how pleasure and pain factor into moral decision-making.