Utilitarianism Notes: 7/12/11
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NAME:________________________________
Utilitarianism
 Is a ___________________ ethical system
o Consequentialist –
 Utilitarianism: what is moral results in…
o
o
o
 Founding Fathers
o Jeremy Bentham (1748-_______)
o _________ Stuart __________ (________-1873)
 3 Basic Principles of Utilitarianism
1. _____________________
 aka “_____________________”
 the right choice is always the one that results in __________
_________________________________________________
 Summary: According to Utilitarianism, ethical actions are
those that ________________________________________
_________________________________________________
2. _____________
 Utilitarians want to increase ____________ for the most
amount of people
 But, what is happiness? Are there different types of
happiness?
 According to Mill, happiness is…
Utilitarianism Notes: 7/12/11
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— ______________ and the ____________________
— The only thing that is _______________________
 Bud, Mill says, not all goods are equal
— Some types of happiness are ___________ or ______
_______________ than others
— Example: helping others, pursuing truth, creating art,
etc.
 Utilitarians assume that those who have sampled higher
types of happiness will __________________________
 “It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig
satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool
satisfied.” –Mill
 Understanding the Point:
— What would you do for the rest of your life, eat your
favorite food all the time or master a skill or art?
— What you would realistically answer would be the
higher good for you
 Question:
— The tribe only has enough money to get a popover for
each member or to send 5 kids to college. According to
Utilitarianism, what should it do?
 Summary:
— According to Utilitarianism, Ethical actions according to
Utilitarianism are those that result in the MOST and
BEST happiness ___________________________
3. _____________________________________________
Utilitarianism Notes: 7/12/11
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 Often utilitarians have to __________________ their own
_______________ for the good of the whole (that is, they
have to value their own happiness less than that of the
majority)
 This is because utilitarians give equal consideration to all
people involved in an ethical dilemma
— including _______________, but…
— not placing ______________ on themselves or loved
ones
 For Example:
— Consideration for me = consideration for my brother =
consideration for a complete stranger
 Another Example:
— What if the fat man in "The Trolley Problem" was YOU
or SOMEONE YOU LOVED?
— Would you still sacrifice to save the four men on the
track?
— If you were a true utilitarian, you'd have to sacrifice
yourself or your loved one just like anyone else
 Summary:
— According to Utilitarianism, Ethical actions according to
Utilitarianism are those that result in the MOST and
BEST happiness for the MOST people, NO
EXCEPTIONS!!