Note Taking Assignment
Due Date: 1:10 PM on Thursday, November 19
Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to ensure that students have mastered the basics of taking notes on
the assigned readings. Taking notes on class readings is a proven method to deepen students’ understanding of
course material, as opposed to merely reading the assigned text. A good set of course notes also makes studying
for quizzes and exams easier, and increases the likelihood of getting a good grade.
Assignment: Take notes for Chapter 8 “The Debate over Utilitarianism” in The Elements of Moral
Philosophy. Your notes must follow EXACTLY the question/answer format of the sample provided. (See
below). Failure to follow directions will result in penalties ranging from 25% to 100%. Assignments must be
typed. Use complete sentences. Make sure your writing is grammatically and stylistically correct in all respects.
This assignment is worth TWO QUIZZES (40 points).
Recommendation: I recommend reading the chapter first. Next, read it again taking notes for the assignment.
You should allow yourself three to five hours for this assignment.
(This example covers less than half a chapter. The expectation is that your notes will be about twice as long).
Laura Flores
November 10, 2015
“The Utilitarian Approach”
Textbook Question (Questions
should focus on concepts
Page
Numbers and arguments).
91
92
92
Answer
What ideas were
emphasized in the
revolutions of 1848?
What is Jeremy Bentham’s
argument/conception of
morality?

Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity

Morality is the attempt to bring about the greatest possible amount of
happiness in this world
What does Bentham’s
“Principle of Utility”
require?

Whenever we have a choice between alternative actions or several
policies, we must choose the one that has the best possible consequences
for the most people concerned.
“…in other words, to promote or oppose happiness.” (The Principle of
Morals and Legislation)
Mill’s book, Utilitarianism (1861), presents a theory of utilitarianism.
Mill believes, in deciding what to do, we should ask what course of
action would promote the greatest amount of happiness for all those who
will be affected.
The Greatest Happiness Principle states, “the ultimate end… is an
existence exempt as free as possible from pain, and as rich as possible in
enjoyments.” (Utilitarianism)
Morality requires that we should do what is best from the point of the
view of the Greatest Happiness Principle.

93
How does Mill present the
theory of Utilitarianism?


93
What is Mill’s “Greatest
Happiness Principle?”


93
Why does the author think
Bentham and Mill’s ideas
were so radical?


Utilitarianism leaves God out of the picture.
In Utilitarianism, morality is no longer understood as a code given by a
set religion or a series of inflexible rules.
94
What does the dominant
moral tradition in our
society, Christianity, hold
true about death?

Christianity holds that human life is a gift from God, so only God may
decide when it will end.
Initially, all killing was prohibited, but killing for capital punishment
and war were permitted later.
The main rule is this: the killing of innocent people is always wrong.
Utilitarianism would give us the option to consider the choices
available to Donnelly (immediate death, remaining in a sickened state,
suffering), and then evaluate which of those choices would bring about
the best consequences for those involved.
A Utilitarian might argue that euthanasia brought about the most
happiness for Donnelly because he was no longer in agonizing pain, and
thus it was required, or at least okay, to kill him.
95
How would a Utilitarian
approach the
killing/euthanasia of
Harold Donnelly?




95
96
What qualities does
Utilitarianism share with
Christianity, on Bentham’s
account?

What does Bentham think
the purpose of the law is?




96
Why does Mill argue
euthanasia laws are
unjustifiable?


What did you find most
interesting about this
reading?

Bentham suggests that religion would endorse Utilitarianism based on
the church’s conception of a benevolent creator.
“…the Being, who is the object of religion, universally supposed to be
as benevolent as he is supposed to be wise and powerful…”
The purpose of the law is the same as that of morals. It should promote
the general welfare of all citizens.
Bentham thought the law should not restrict the freedom of citizens any
more than necessary.
He believed no activities should be prohibited unless, in engaging in that
activity, one is doing harm to others.
Laws prohibiting euthanasia are contrary to the general welfare, and
they are unjustifiable because they place restrictions of people’s rights
to control their own lives.
In the case of Mr. Donnelley’s euthanasia, no harm was caused to
anyone else
I enjoy reading about applied ethical principles, so the euthanasia case
was the most interesting to me. I would have liked to read some
arguments from the other side, however. It was mentioned that most
(60%) American terminally ill patients believe euthanasia or physician
assisted suicide should be available upon request, and I would like for
Rachels to expand upon why he included that statistic, and how that
specific population might not be a good representation of the general
population.