Chapter 8: Utilitarianism (1)

The idea that an action is right when it produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number, and wrong when it produces the opposite.

A family of theories where moral judgment depends entirely on outcomes. Utilitarianism is one type that measures outcomes in terms of happiness and suffering.

The overall balance of pleasure over pain produced by an action.

A theory that evaluates each action by whether it creates more pleasure than pain in that specific moment.

• intensity • duration • certainty • nearness • fecundity (the likelihood that the pleasure would produce more pleasure. ) *purity (whether there were associated pains in the pursuit of this particular pleasure. ) • extent I dont care nor fear principal’s expulsion

It is impartial, democratic, flexible, action-focused, useful for policy-making, and avoids rigid rules.

Measurement problem How do we measure intensity or purity? Impossible calculations Do we really have to consider every possible option? People cannot reasonably calculate an infinite number of alternatives. Definition of happiness is unclear Different people have different ideas of happiness.

A theory saying we should follow rules that usually promote the most happiness over time rather than evaluating each act individually.

• Higher pleasures involve intellect, creativity, and moral awareness • Lower pleasures involve bodily or physical sensations Higher pleasures contribute more to human development.

People who have experienced both higher and lower pleasures, called MORAL JUDGES.

No. Morality depends on outcomes. Motives matter only for evaluating personal character.

He says humans have higher faculties, so higher pleasures naturally carry greater value.

He claims it aligns with the Golden Rule and that a benevolent God would desire human happiness.

Act utilitarianism: Focuses on each individual action. It does not care about absolute or universal rules. An action is right only if that specific act creates the most happiness. Rule utilitarianism: Follows general moral rules based on the principle of utility. Actions are right when they follow rules that, if everyone followed them, would produce the greatest overall happiness.

It relies on rules such as ‘do not lie’ or ‘do not kill,’ which maintain trust, justice, and long-term wellbeing.

Supporters argue that although it caused massive suffering, it ended the war faster and prevented even greater long-term suffering.

• jus ad bellum concerns justice about entering a war • jus in bello concerns justice in conduct during war

Mill says Jesus’ Golden Rule (“treat others the way you want to be treated”) perfectly matches the spirit of utilitarianism. He argues that loving your neighbor and acting as you want to be treated represent the ideal form of utilitarian morality, because happiness is what all people desire, so it should be the main principle guiding moral decisions.

Measurement issues, potential to justify injustice, unrealistic predictions, neglect of rights, overly demanding expectations, and a reduction of morality to pleasure alone.

• Bentham focuses on the quantity of pleasure and judges actions case by case • Mill focuses on the quality of pleasure and supports rules that promote long-term happiness

External sanctions are praise or blame from others (including God), which motivate us because they affect our happiness. Internal sanctions come from our conscience, which gives us pleasure when we do right and pain when we do wrong. Mill says this shows we act for happiness. He argues that just like we know something is visible because people see it, we know something is desirable because people desire it—and the one thing everyone desires is happiness. Therefore, we should desire the happiness of all, not just our own.

For Mill, a guilty conscience is incredibly painful and provides the necessary proof that we do indeed act on the basis of happiness. To support his argument, Mill offers an analogy. He says that the only way we can tell that something is visible is if people see it.