Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism
Learning Objectives:(long term)
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To understand the ‘greatest happiness
principle’.
To understand the similarities and differences
between Bentham and Mill.
Understand the distinction between Act and Rule
Utilitarianism.
Discuss how appropriate these labels are for
Bentham and Mill.
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of
Utilitarianism.
This lesson’s objectives are…
 To
understand the principle of
utility.
 To be able to explain the
significance of the hedonic calculus.
 To be confident with Jeremy
Bentham’s utilitarianism theory.
 To understand what ‘Act
Utilitarianism’ means.
Utilitarianism- Key Points
Brief Intro…
 A teleological theory. But, what does this
mean?
 Teleological theories look at the
consequences- the results of an actionto decide whether it is right or wrong.
 Consequentialist theory- someone who
decides whether an action is good or bad
by its consequences.
Jeremy Bentham
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He was concerned with
social and legal reform &
he wanted to develop an
ethical theory which
established whether
something was good or
bad according to its
benefit for the majority
of people.
He called this the
principle of utility.
 Utility= the usefulness
of the results of actions.
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Bentham…
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Bentham equated happiness with pleasure and the
absence of pain.
This was an empirical observation - people desire
pleasure and seek to avoid pain.
His scientific mind led him to believe that the study of
ethics could be undertaken in a practical way, carefully
measuring the possible consequences or outcomes of an
action before deciding which choice to take.
Bentham’s theories led to extensive social reform
affecting Parliament, criminal law, the jury system, prisons,
savings banks, cheap postage etc, etc.
What was revolutionary about Bentham’s theory was that it
resulted in all people being considered when making laws.
His hedonic calculus was especially helpful in determining
how to measure different amounts of pleasure.
Principle of Utility
Often expressed as,
“the greatest good of the
greatest number”.
Good = happiness or pleasure. So, an act is right
or wrong according to the good or bad results
that results from the act and the good act is the
most pleasurable.
Quantitative= focuses on the greatest number.
Bentham’s Approach
The theory is based on ancient hedonism,
which pursued physical pleasure and
avoided physical pain.
 Moral acts= maximise pleasure/ minimise
pain    Utilitarian calculus.
 So, an act = moral, if it brings the
greatest amount of pleasure and least
pain.
 Examples?
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Pain vs. pleasure
Bentham, “The principle of utility aims to
promote happiness which is the
supreme ethical value. Nature has
placed us under the governance of two
sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. An
act is ‘right’ if it delivers more pleasure
than pain and ‘wrong’ if it brings about
more pain than pleasure.”
 Simple equation 
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Happiness = pleasure minus pain.
Pleasure vs. Happiness
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“Actions are right in
proportion when they tend to
promote happiness, wrong
when they tend to produce
the reverse of happiness.”
When Bentham talks about
happiness, he refers to
pleasure and the absence of
pain; by unhappiness, pain
and the privation of pleasure.
According to Bentham's
theory, the rightness of an
action entirely depends on
the value of its
consequences. That is why
the theory is also described
as consequentialist.
Hedonism
HEDONISM
Hedonism
The view that
pleasure is
the chief
‘good’.
Origins of Hedonism
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Utilitarianism  a Hedonistic theory.
This is based on the idea that ‘good’ is defined in
terms of pleasure/ happiness.
Greek Philosophers-- Plato and Aristotle both
argued that ‘good’ equated with the greatest
happiness.
While Epicureans stressed pleasure as the main
aim of life.
Pleasure is NOT the same as happiness, as
happiness results from the use of reason and
cultivating the virtues.
It is only if we take pleasure in good activities
that pleasure itself is good.
Measure Hedonism
Think:
If you were to measure
pleasure (Hedonism), how
would you do it? What would
you look for?
(5 minutes).
Hedonic Calculus
Helps us choose the good thing to do and work out
the possible consequences of an action.
P.R.R.I.C.E.D = acronym.
 Purity – how free from pain is it?
 Remoteness – how near is it?
 Richness – to what extent will it lead to other
pleasures?
 Intensity – how powerful is it?
 Certainty – how likely it is to result in pleasure?
 Extent – how many people does it affect?
 Duration – how long will it last?
Hedonic Calculus & Euthanasia
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Bentham's Hedonic Calculus can be used to weigh up the
pleasure and pain caused by two courses of action - in this
case, helping someone to die, or not doing so.
Bentham would consider the Intensity of the pain and its
Duration. He would have to weigh that against the number
of people affected (Extent), and consider whether keeping
someone alive would lead to other pleasures (Richness).
He would also need to add up the amount of other 'pains'
the patient would face e.g. loss of dignity (Purity), and
consider the chances that there' might be a cure or
treatment in the future (Certainty). The pain is immediate,
while possible future benefits are Remote.
In most cases, the degree of pain is so great that
Bentham's theory would support euthanasia.
Act Utilitarianism
A
teleological theory that uses the
outcome of an action to determine
whether it is good or bad.
Thinking Points- Debate
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Are all actions only good because they have good results?
Suppose a surgeon could use the organs of one healthy patient
to save the lives of several others. Would the surgeon be
justified in killing the healthy patient for the sake of the others?
Suppose a rape is committed that is thought to be racially
motivated. Riots are brewing that may result in many deaths
and long term racial antagonism. You are the police chief and
have recently taken a man into custody. Why not frame him? He
will be imprisoned if found guilty and this will result in peace and
safety. Only you, the innocent man and the real rapist (who will
keep quiet), will know the truth. What is the morally right thing
to do?
You are an army officer who has just captured an enemy soldier
who knows where a secret time bomb is planted. If it explodes it
will kill thousands. Will it be morally permissible to torture the
solider so that he reveals the bomb’s location?
If you knew where the soldier's children were, would it also be
permissible to torture them to get him to reveal the bomb’s
whereabouts?
Wrap up
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On the piece of paper, write one thing you have
learned today…
Could be a concept you are now familiar with.
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Or, a new key term in your vocabulary.
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A theory that you are more confident
in understanding.
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Developed an academic/exam skill.
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If nothing, be honest. But say why you feel
nothing.