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69915
Utilitarianisim
Description
Ethics Mind Map on Utilitarianisim, created by jenny_allen on 04/05/2013.
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ethics
ethics
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jenny_allen
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Created by
jenny_allen
over 11 years ago
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Resource summary
Utilitarianisim
ACT UTILITARIANISM
JEREMY BENTHAM
Began theory of Utilitarianism to work out how good/bad the consequences of an action would be.
Principle of Utility = theory of usefulness - 'the greatest good for the greatest number'.
Theory is quantitative (focuses on the majority).
Moral acts should maximise pleasure and minimise pain. Happiness = pleasure minus pain.
HEDONIC CALCULUS = a way of 'measuring' the consequences of an action/the pleasure it would bring. Had 7 elements:
INTENSITY of pleasure.
DURATION of pleasure.
CERTAINTY of pleasure.
EXTENT of pleasure.
PROPINQUITY of pleasure (how near/far).
PURITY of pleasure.
FECUNDITY of pleasure (how continuous).
WEAKNESSES
Difficult to predict consequences.
Can potentially justify any act.
Difficult to define pleasure.
Doesn't protect the minority.
RULE UTILITARIANISM
JOHN STUART MILL
Greatest Happiness Principle = actions are right if they promote happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure and the absence of pain.
Theory is qualitative as it focuses on the quality of the pleasure.
Intellectual, spiritual and cultural pleasures are better than physical ones.
'Beter to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied'.
Establishing general rules that follow utilitarian principles.
Should produce the greatest happiness if followed universally.
WEAKNESSES
Difficult to predict consequences.
Invoking rules means it becomes deontological.
PREFERENCE UTILITARIANISM
Moral actions are right according to how they fit the preferences involved.
R.M.HARE
Need to consider own preference and that of others.
'Equal preferences count equally, whatever their content.'
Should 'stand in someone else's shoes'.
Treat everyone impartially.
PETER SINGER
Should take the viewpoint of an IMPARTIAL SPECTATOR,
'Our own preferences cannot count any more than the preferences of others'.
Best possible consequences = what's in the best interest of those involved.
Teleological approach - moral actions are right/wrong according to their outcome.
Consequentialist theory - someone decides whether actions are good/bad by their consequences.
Hedonistic theory as 'good' is defined in terms of happiness and pleasure.
STRENGTHS
Straightforward - based on single principle of minimising pain/maximising pleasure.
Promotes the well-being of the greatest number.
Applicable in real life situations.
Seems natural to follow - natural to weigh up consequences.
WEAKNESSES
Doesn't protect the minority.
Can advocate justice.
Difficult to predict consequences.
People define 'pleasure' and 'happiness' in different ways.
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