Goodness/rightness and
badness/wrongness are located in
the consequences an act
(consequentialism).
Jeremy Bentham (1748-1842 CE)
An act that increases happiness or
pleasure (or minimizes unhappiness
and suffering) is right and good; act
that decreases happiness or causes
suffering is wrong and bad.
Theory based on act, rather than act
based on theory.
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873 CE)
• Intensity (How intense is the
pleasure?)
• Duration (How long does the
pleasure last?)
• Certainty (How sure is the
pleasure?)
• Proximity (How soon will the
pleasure be experienced?)
• Fecundity (How many more
pleasures will follow?)
• Purity (How free from pain is the
pleasure?)
• Extent (How many people will
experience pleasure? [social not
personal hedonism])
Each person must
decide for
him/herself
“The creed which accepts as the foundation of morals utility, or
the greatest happiness principle, holds that actions are right in
proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they
tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By ‘happiness’ is
intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by ‘unhappiness,’
pain, and the privation of pleasure.”
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What is it?
What is the nature of its value?
“Higher” and “lower” pleasures?
What decisions are totally private? • Mill’s solution: only the
“competent” get a say.
How can we advance civilization if
morality is personal preference?
Should tax dollars be spent on…
• You have to have
experienced college, tax
refunds, and parties, to
“vote.”
Smoking in restricted areas
only.
Smoking tents.
Parking lots.
No smoking within 25 of
buildings.
No tobacco products sold
on campus.
REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BP 3570
For the purposes of this policy, smoking shall mean all uses of
tobacco, including but not limited to cigar smoking, cigarette smoking,
pipe smoking, and chewing tobacco. In order to protect students and
staff who choose not to smoke from an unhealthy environment, the
Board prohibits smoking within buildings or facilities owned or leased
by the District.
Smoking is not allowed except in designated smoking areas and
campus parking lots which are at least twenty-five feet from
buildings. These designated areas will be clearly marked as “Smoking
Areas” and are noted on campus maps. All other smoking and
tobacco use in and on College of the Redwoods is expressly
prohibited. Furthermore, smoking is not allowed in college owned or
leased vehicles. Violators will be subject to appropriate disciplinary
action. Tobacco and related products will not be sold or promoted on
any other campus of the District.
“In order to protect
students and staff who
choose not to smoke from
an unhealthy environment,
the Board prohibits smoking
within buildings or facilities
owned or leased by the
District.”
“In order to protect
students and staff who
choose not to smoke
from an unhealthy
environment….
Does CR’s obligation to
protect from an
unhealthy environment
extend beyond nonsmoking staff and
students?
“In order to protect
students and staff who
choose not to smoke from
an unhealthy
environment…
Is CR morally obligated to
protect students who
choose to smoke from an
unhealthy environment?
“In order to protect….”
What constitutes
protection?
An act that increases happiness • Proximity (How soon will
or pleasure (or minimizes
the pleasure/suffering be
unhappiness and suffering) is
experienced?)
right; act that decreases
happiness or causes suffering is
• Fecundity (How many more
wrong.
pleasures/sufferings will
follow?)
• Intensity (How intense is the
pleasure/suffering?)
• Purity (How free from pain
is the pleasure?)
• Duration (How long does the
pleasure/suffering last?)
• Extent (How many people
will experience
• Certainty (How sure is the
pleasure/suffering?)
pleasure/suffering?)
Provide free smoking
cessation programs?
Sell tobacco products?
Allow cigarette advertising
on campus?
Allow anti-tobacco
ads/demonstrations on
campus?
Judge Subjectivist
Judge Emotivist
Judge Relativist
Judge Ethical Egoist
Judge Rule-Utilitarian
Judge Act-Utilitarian