LECTURE 24: UTILITARIANISM
Ethics
Teleological
The moral value of an action
is entirely based on its
results or consequences
Deontological
Emphasises duty or the
inherent moral value of an
action, not the consequences.
All ethical theories fall under one or both of these categories
TWO TYPES OF ETHICAL THEORY
General features of Utilitiarianism
Utilitarianism is a teleological ethical theory, this means:
o Moral and immoral actions are distinguished by their results and
consequences alone
o Utilitarianism makes no appeal to the motives or inherent value of an
action
There are three ‘stages’ within Utilitarianism:
1. “The doctrine that we ought to act so as to promote the greatest balance
of good over evil” (p.375)
2. “The doctrine that we ought to act so as to promote the greatest balance
of pleasure over pain” (p.375)
3. “The doctrine that we ought to act so as to promote the greatest
happiness for the greatest number” (p.376)
UTILITARIANISM
The principle of utility states:
“The greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people”
Moral actions are those that bring the greatest amount of happiness to other
people
Happiness and a lack of pain is the only valid criteria for a measure of moral
value
A Utilitarian must ask two questions: How happy? and How many?
Allows one to sacrifice their own or individual interests for the sake of others
For example:
Can we sacrifice one to save many?
UTILITARIANISM
Why happiness?
The principle of utility does not state:
“The greater good for the greater number of people”
Why is happiness a better criterion for a moral action than the “good”?
For example,
Why should we be so concerned about happiness?
Isn’t it the case that some people need what is good for them, not what
makes them happy?
What is wrong with using happiness as a criterion?
UTILITARIANISM
VERSION 1: BENTHAM
Bentham’s utilitarianism
o Bentham assumes that human’s are motivated by the desire to attain
pleasure and to avoid of pain (hedonism)
o Our faculty of reason means that we can discuss and give advice as to the
best way to pursue our goal to achieve the most pleasure while avoiding
the most pain
o The value of a moral action is based on its consequences in accordance with
our desired goals
A moral action is one that brings the most pleasure and the least pain
An immoral action is one that brings more pain and less pleasure
o The only relevant factor is the quantity of happiness
BENTHAM
Bentham employs the “Calculus of Felicity” as a guide to calculating the moral
worth of an action:
1. Intensity—How Intense?
2. Duration—How Long?
3. Certainty—How Sure?
4. Propinquity—how soon?
5. Fecundity—how many more?
6. Purity—How Free From Pain?
7. Extent—How Many People are affected?
Textbook P.377
BENTHAM
VERSION 2: MILL’S
UTILITARIANISM
Bentham claims:
All pleasures are equal
For example, the pleasure from scratching an itch might be just as
good as the pleasure from reading a good book
The calculus of felicity can only calculate pleasures based on quantity
Mill’s criticism:
If all pleasures are seen to be equal, and only quantity matters, everyone
would end up going for easy pleasures; culture would be lost
MILL’S CRITICISM OF BENTHAM
Mill proposes the following solution:
Pleasures should be divided between higher and lower pleasures
Lower Desires
(Quantity)
Scratching an Itch
Eating Lots of Food
Getting Drunk on Beer
Higher Desires Listening to Classical Music
(Quality)
Going to an Art Gallery
Drinking a Glass of Fine Wine
Reading a Good Book
Higher desires, even if they are more difficult to attain, are to be preferred over
lower desires because their quality is superior to lower desires, no matter the
quantity
Is this a form of cultural fascism?
MILL’S SOLUTION
TESTING UTILITARIANISM
What moral value would Utilitarians place on the following actions:
Action:
Giving Candy to
my Students
Candy is
given to
students
Students
enjoy Candy
Consequences: More
Students are happier
Action:
Giving Candy to
my Students
Candy is
given to
students
Candy makes
students sick
Consequences: More
students are
unhappy
99% of Students
do very well
Consequences: More
Students are happier
Action:
Students are
executed for failure
Action:
Sacrificing One
Individual to
Save Many
1% of
Students are
executed
Aliens
Demand
Human
Sacrifice
Paul Harris
is Sacrificed
EVALUATION OF UTILITARIANISM
Consequences:
The Earth is
Saved; Everyone
is Happier
Problems for Utilitarianism:
The case of Sam
Sam goes to the hospital for a routine visit
The doctor realizes that Sam’s healthy organs could be used to save the lives
of five other patients
Option 1: The doctor can let Sam live but five other patients will die
Option 2: The doctor arranges for Sam to die so that he can save his five
other patients
Which option should a Utilitarian choose?
Why is this a problem for Utilitarianism?
EVALUATION OF UTILITARIANISM
Problems for Utilitarianism:
Jim and the Indians
Read the box on p.390 of the textbook
Given this situation, what should Jim do according to Utilitarinism?
What would you do?
What does this show about Utilitarianism?
EVALUATION OF UTILITARIANISM
Are the following moral or immoral according to Utilitarianism?
Murder
Lying
Stealing
Cheating in exams
Invading foreign nations
Slavery
Oppressing women
In all cases the moral value depends on:
1) How much happiness is generated
2) How many people it affects
EVALUATION OF UTILITARIANISM
ACT & RULE UTILITARIANISM
Contemporary Utilitarian’s distinguish between two forms of Utilitarianism:
Act Utilitarianism
The most moral act is the one that
produces the greatest amount of
happiness for the greatest
number of people
Rule Utilitarianism
When choosing between two acts,
one ought to choose the one
governed by a (hypothetical) rule
whose general obedience would
produce the greatest amount of
happiness
Textbook p.380.
Why might this distinction improve Utilitarianism?
Why might this be a problem for Utilitarianism?
ACT AND RULE UTILITARIANISM
Are the following moral or immoral according to Rule-Utilitarianism?
Murder
Lying
Stealing
Cheating in exams
Invading foreign nations
Slavery
Oppressing women
According to rule-utilitarianism the morality of each case depends on:
1)How much happiness would be generated
2) How many people it affects
If everyone did these things
EVALUATION OF UTILITARIANISM
DISCUSSION
1. What is the principle of Utility?
2. Is the principle of utility an appropriate way to distinguish between moral
and immoral actions?
3. Is utilitarianism better suited to some situations over others?
4. What are the problems with Utilitarianism?
5. Does the distinction between rule and act Utilitarianism improve
Utilitarianism?
DISCUSSION