What is Utilitarianism?

A Consequentialist theory of
ethics pioneered by:
–
–

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1842)
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
It’s central belief is the
Greatest Happiness Principle
–
“Always act such that you
promoted the greatest aggregate
happiness”
The Greatest Happiness Principle

This principle has 3 underlying
ideas:
1.
2.
3.

Consequentialism
Hedonism
Equity
This means that:
–
–
–
The consequences of an act are all
that matters
The only consequence that matters is
happiness
Everyone’s happiness is worthy of
equal consideration
Bentham’s Hedonic Calculus

Bentham thought we could calculate
how much happiness each action
creates on a 7 point scale:
1.
Intensity (How strong is the pleasure?)
Duration (How long will it last?)
Certainty (How likely is it?)
Propinquity (How close in time and space is it?)
Fecundity (Will it be followed by similar sensations?)
Purity (Will it be followed by opposite sensations?)
Number affected (How many will benefit?)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
1. Are all Pleasures the Same?

Bentham thought that all pleasures could be
measured on the same scale but can they?
–
“Pushpin is as good as poetry” (Bentham)
2. Are all Pleasures Morally Good?

Does Bentham’s
account mean that
the happiness of 2
prison guards
outweighs the
happiness of one
prisoner?
Mill’s Higher and Lower Pleasures


Mill thought that some pleasures were intrinsically
better than others
Higher Pleasures
–
–

Lower Pleasures
–
–

Pleasures of the mind: Poetry, Opera, Study, Conversation.
Uniquely human
Pleasures of the flesh: Food, Drink, Drugs, Sex.
Shared with animals
‘Competent Judges’ are best placed to discern them
–
–
–
People of taste who have experienced both types
“Better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied”
“Better to be a fool dissatisfied than a pig satisfied”
3. Does the Higher/Lower
distinction solve the problem?



What about the
Hadyn/Oyster problem
suggested by Roger Crisp?
Would you rather be Hadyn
for 70 years or an Oyster
for eternity?
There must come a point
when the oyster’s pleasure
outweighs Haydn’s.
4. Are Competent Judges qualified?




It’s not enough to
have simply
experienced both
types of pleasure
You also need to have
enjoyed them
Can competent
judges enjoy getting
plastered?
Suggested by Ryan
Act Utilitarianism



There are at least 2 types
of Utilitarianism: Act and
Rule
In Act Utilitarianism each
act is considered on it’s
own merits.
In theory, any action could
be justified in terms of its
consequences - even
murder.
5. Is Act Utilitarianism
psychologically possible?



We must survey all possible
actions and consequences
and behave accordingly
But is it possible to
constantly reassess the
facts, second by second?
Could you consider,
moment by moment,
whether you should kill the
person next to you?
6. Can Utilitarianism account for
Justice and Rights?

Sheriff example:
–

What’s wrong with
hanging an innocent
man if it makes
everyone happy?
Free Speech
example:
–
Why shouldn’t we
ban Nazis from
standing for
election?
Rule Utilitarianism



In Rule Utilitarianism we
act in accordance with
rules
But these rules are
justified because they in
turn promote the greatest
happiness
We must follow rules even
on occasions where they
don’t make anyone happy
7. How long is the long term?


Rule Utilitarians think
we should observe
rules because they
produce happiness
in the long run
But how long should
we wait? A day? A
year? A century?
8. Don’t pleasures have to be real?


According to Mill, all that
matters is pleasure.
But we can have pleasure in:
–
–
–

Dreams
Drug-induced states
or in an “experience machine”
(Robert Nozick)
Isn’t a little real pleasure
better than a lot of fake
pleasure?
9. Are Consequences more
important than integrity?



Some things should not
be done even if they did
promote happiness
Would you take a job as
a public executioner? If
not, why not?
Can utilitarianism
account for notions like
“clean hands”?
10. Is Utilitarianism too
demanding?


If Mill is right, shouldn’t I
always surrender all my
pleasures to help others?
In Africa £1 could literally
save a life so should I ever
have a chocolate biscuit?