UTILITARIANISM

Assoc. Prof. Sharyn Davies

Happiness - Utility
Work

out what would bring about the greatest happiness overall. Utility useful for bringing about happiness

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

J.S. Mill and Harriet Taylor

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)

Jeremy Benthams body

Hedonistic Calculus
Intensity

Duration
Certainty

or uncertainty Remoteness Fecundity Purity Extent

Consequentialism
Utilitarianism

is consequentialist (based on

the results)
Kantian

ethics is non-consequentialist or deontological (duty-based)

Two main types of Utilitarianism

Act

or Classical Utilitarianism Utilitarianism

Rule

Act or Classical Utilitarianism (Bentham)

Three propositions: 1. Actions are to be judged right or wrong solely in virtue of their consequences. Nothing else matters. Right actions are, simply, those that have the best consequences.

Act or Classical Utilitarianism

2.

In assessing consequences, the only thing that matters is the amount of happiness or unhappiness that is caused. Everything else is irrelevant.

Act or Classical Utilitarianism

3.

In calculating the happiness or unhappiness, no ones happiness is counted as more important than anyone elses. Each persons welfare is equally important.

Rule Utilitarianism (Mill)

John

Stuart Mills amendment to Benthams original theory Apply utilitarian principles to formulate moral code or rules for society. Adopt rules which maximise happiness. Dont need to judge every action.

Act/Rule Clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knCIPp

kdyVE

Nazi Human Experimentation

Malaria experiments From 1942 to 1945, experiments were conducted at Dachau concentration camp to investigate immunization for treatment of malaria. Healthy inmates were infected by mosquitoes. After contracting the disease, the subjects were treated with various drugs to test their relative efficiency. Over 1,000 people were used in these experiments, and of those, more than half died as a result.

Similarities and Differences

KANTIAN ETHICS Non-consequentialist

UTILITARIANISM Consequentialist

Similarities and Differences

KANTIAN ETHICS Non-consequentialist Human dignity paramount

UTILITARIANISM Consequentialist Some people might need to be sacrificed for the general good

Similarities and Differences

KANTIAN ETHICS Non-consequentialist Human dignity paramount People should never be treated only as a means to an end

UTILITARIANISM Consequentialist Some people might need to be sacrificed for the general good Some people might need to be sacrificed for the general good

Similarities and Differences (continued)

KANTIAN ETHICS Motive is most important aspect of ethical action

UTILITARIANISM Result is most important aspect of ethical action

Similarities and Differences (continued)

KANTIAN ETHICS Motive is most important aspect of ethical action We should act according to universal principles

UTILITARIANISM Result is most important aspect of ethical action We should act according to rules (Rule-Utilitarianism)

Similarities and Differences (continued)

KANTIAN ETHICS Motive is most important aspect of ethical action We should act according to universal laws The most important value is duty

UTILITARIANISM Result is most important aspect of ethical action We should act according to rules (Rule Utilitarianism) The most important value is happiness

Similarities and Differences (continued)

KANTIAN ETHICS Rules devised by asking whether it can be universalised (would you want everyone to follow this rule in all circumstances?)

UTILITARIANISM Rules devised by asking whether it would bring about the maximisation of happiness (would this bring the most happiness overall, but not necessarily for everyone?)

Critiques of Utilitarianism
1.

Is utilitarianism really workable?

Uncertainty about the results or outcomes Comparing levels of happiness and unhappiness difficult, if not impossible Is the time involved, particularly with Act Utilitarianism, realistic? Seems to be an objective measure, but reality would be inaccurate measurements.

Critiques of Utilitarianism (continued)

2.

Are some actions wrong, even if they produce good?

Under utilitarianism no action is unjust of itself Some actions can be immoral and should not be done (e.g. breaking promises, especially deathbed promises)

Critiques of Utilitarianism (continued)

3.

Is utilitarianism unjust?
Some people being sacrificed to achieve the greatest good.

Cost-Benefit
Philip

Morris cigarette study in Czech:

While smoking may cost money in extra health care, it would save the country millions in pensions, aged health care, and give the government more money through taxes:
The great good = more people smoking.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1442555.stm

Peter Singer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Uz_v

FWoCU&feature=related Preference utilitarianism

Justice: whats the right thing to do?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBdfcR-

8hEY

Conclusion
Utilitarianism:

greatest good for the greatest number, but there are problems.