Utilitarian Ethics
Act and Rule Utilitarianism
Principle of the greatest good
MORALITY IN THE MODERN
WORLD
Area 1: The Relationship between Religion and Moral Values
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Introduction (pp. 1-7)
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Religious Morality (pp. 8-21)
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Moral values are grounded in religious belief
The interpretation of sacred writings guided by faith, tradition and/or reason
Utilitarian Ethics (pp. 29-33)
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The Euthyphro Dilemma ‘Are actions ‘good’ simply because the gods
command them or do the gods command certain actions because they are
‘good’?’
Act and Rule Utilitarianism
Principle of the greatest good
Kantian Ethics (pp. 34-37)
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Categorical imperative
Universal maxim
Respect of persons
Introduction
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This is a viewpoint independent of religious belief
(though religious people can use it).
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It is focussed on the consequences of the action.
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There are different types of Utilitarianism: Act, Rule
and Preference.
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Utilitarianism is based on the Principle of Utility or
the greatest good.
Let’s presume it is wrong to
kill a baby…
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You have invented a time machine!
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You press the button and find yourself alone
in a room with baby Hitler.
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What are some of the possible consequences
if he chose to kill the baby…
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If it stopped WW2 would it make it right?
The Principle of the greatest
good, or utility.
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An action may be said to be conformable
to the principle of utility… when the
tendency it has to augment the happiness
of the community is greater than any it
has to diminish it.
J Bentham
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Rewrite this in your own words please.
Problems with Consequences
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How can you know for sure what the
consequences of the action may be?
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Often the consequences of actions are not in
your control.
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Furthermore, the consequences you want
from an action may not be what anyone else
wants.
Utilitarian Consequences
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Utilitarians say that our moral choices should
be based on getting the greatest good (or
pleasure/happiness) for the greatest number
of people.
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This is called The Principle of Utility (or the
greatest good).
Check your learning
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Utilitarianism focuses on the consequences
of actions
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The Principle of the greatest good or utility
Act Utilitarianism
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Where the probable consequences of your actions
decide whether your actions were right or wrong.
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If your actions are likely to lead to the greatest good
for the greatest number, they are probably right.
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Add an example of an action to your notes that
demonstrates this point.
Rule Utilitarianism
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This is when you design rules that allow the greatest
good for the greatest number.
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Add an example of a rule to your notes that could be
considered to be Utilitarian.
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The problem here is that we have to agree on what
a good outcome is so that the rules allow the
greatest good for the greatest number.
Issue: School Uniform
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In many schools, uniform is a rule.
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What are the beneficial consequences of school
uniform? Who for?
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Could school uniform be seen as leading to the
greatest good for the greatest number?
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Would a Utilitarian support the wearing of school
uniform?
Preference Utilitarianism
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This applies the idea of the greatest good for
the greatest number only to those involved in
the situation – so the right thing to do is what
maximises the happiness of those involved –
according to their preferences.
Problems with Utilitarianism?
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Who decides what pleasure or happiness is?
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Can you ever fully predict all the possible outcomes
of a moral decision?
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Who decides what to take into account when trying
to work out if a decision produces happiness?
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What about the minority? Is this fair?
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Would it lead to a ‘sacrifice’ society? What kind of
society would it lead to?
Check your learning
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Act Utilitarianism
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Rule Utilitarianism
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Preference Utilitarianism
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Problems with Utilitarianism?
Christianity on Utilitarianism
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Christian morality often seems to Utilitarian in
nature: the idea of sacrifice.
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Death of Jesus as example in Christian belief.
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The idea of self-sacrifice is often encouraged in
Christianity
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The issue for Christians is what happens to the
minority.
Christianity on Utilitarianism
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Justice is Christian love using its head,
calculating its duties, obligations,
opportunities, resources … on this basis is
becomes plain that as the love ethic searches
seriously for a social policy it must form a
coalition with utilitarianism. It takes over from
Bentham and Mill the strategic principle of
‘the greatest good for the greatest number’.
Joseph Fletcher
Buddhism on Utilitarianism
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Outcomes are very important to Buddhists.
Actions have kammic consequences and
doing the right thing is about maximising
kamma for as many as possible.
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Buddhists however would be wary of sacrifice
– the Buddha tried asceticism (starving
himself) to find enlightenment but found
nothing.
Buddhism on Utilitarianism
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Buddhists work for the needs of others and
compassion is a central belief.
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The Buddha left his wife and child to seek
enlightenment – this could be seen as a Utilitarian
decision.
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‘Skilful actions’ is similar to Preference Utilitarianism.
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However Buddhists would be concerned about what
Utilitarianism would mean for the minority. Buddhism
seeks happiness for all beings, not some at the
expense of others.
Viewpoint Independent of
Religious Belief on Utilitarianism
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Utilitarianism is itself a moral theory independent of
religious belief.
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Most modern Utilitarians like Peter Singer argue for
a form of preference Utilitarianism.
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Singer argues that you should not only take into
account the possible consequences of a moral
decision, but also what the consequences are for
those involved in the situation.
Viewpoint Independent of
Religious Belief on Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is itself a moral theory independent of
religious belief.

Most modern Utilitarians like Peter Singer argue for
a form of preference Utilitariansm.
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Singer argues that you should not only take into
account the possible consequences of a moral
decision, but also what the consequences are for
those involved in the situation.
Viewpoint Independent of
Religious Belief on Utilitarianism
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For Singer, what matters is that our decisions in the first place are
based on what’s best for those immediately affected by the outcome
of a decision.
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The way of thinking I have outlined is a form of utilitarianism.
It differs from classical utilitarianism in that ‘the best
consequences’ is understood as meaning what, on balance,
furthers the interests of those affected, rather than merely
what increases pleasure and reduces pain … The utilitarian
position is a minimal one, a first base that we should reach
by universalising self-interested decision-making.
Singer
Check your learning
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Christianity on Utilitarianism
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Buddhism on Utilitarianism
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Viewpoints independent of religious belief
(v.i.r.b.s) on Utilitarianism
MORALITY IN THE MODERN
WORLD
Area 1: The Relationship between Religion and Moral Values

Introduction (pp. 1-7)


Religious Morality (pp. 8-21)



Moral values are grounded in religious belief
The interpretation of sacred writings guided by faith, tradition and/or reason
Utilitarian Ethics (pp. 29-33)



The Euthyphro Dilemma ‘Are actions ‘good’ simply because the gods
command them or do the gods command certain actions because they are
‘good’?’
Act and Rule Utilitarianism
Principle of the greatest good
Kantian Ethics (pp. 34-37)



Categorical imperative
Universal maxim
Respect of persons
Extension exercises
How would an Act/Rule/Preference Utilitarian
feel about Crime and Punishment?
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How would an Act/Rule/Preference
Utilitarian feel about the Purpose of
Punishment?
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How would an Act/Rule/Preference
Utilitarian feel about Capital Punishment?