Unit Topic Areas
Topic
Introduction to
utilitarianism
Bentham’s
utilitarianism
Content
Contrast between
consequentialist /
teleological
and deontological
thinking.
Introduction to basic
ideas of
Utilitarianism.
Introduction to
Bentham and
ethical theory of
utilitarianism
• Idea of utility
• Nature of
‘happiness’
Reading
Understood?
Bowie and fryer
(2008) religious
studies AS for AQA
chapter 3
Oliphant (2011) AQA
religious ethics for AS
and A2 chapter 2

Bowie and fryer
(2008) religious
studies AS for AQA
chapter 3
Oliphant (2011) AQA
religious ethics for AS
and A2 chapter 2

Hedonic Calculus
Bentham’s hedonic
calculus; how it
effects making
ethical decisions.
Bowie and fryer
(2008) religious
studies AS for AQA
chapter 3
Oliphant (2011) AQA
religious ethics for AS
and A2 chapter 2

Strengths and
weaknesses of
Bentham
Advantages of
Bentham’s
Utilitarianism –
including public
accountability,
‘common
sense’; equality “the
moral side of
democracy”
Issues with Bentham’s
(*) Utilitarianism – to
include conflict with
‘duty’; impossibility
of predicting full
consequences; not
everyone capable of
using the calculus;
ignores
intentions; how should
happiness be
distributed; hedonism
/ happiness as an
unworthy goal.
Bowie and fryer
(2008) religious
studies AS for AQA
chapter 3
Oliphant (2011) AQA
religious ethics for AS
and A2 chapter 2

Discounts idea that
some people (e.g.
family) have the right
to count as more than
others.
Mill’s
Utilitarianism
Apply to Chosen
Issue
Key additions /
amendments
to Bentham’s theory
• Lower and higher
pleasures; Selfsacrifice having a
positive
role
Rules (e.g. truth
telling): distinction
between weak rule
and strong rule
A wide range of
issues are suitable
including
• Genetic engineering
/ designer babies
• IVF and surrogacy
• Legalisation of
Drugs
http://www.cannabisseeds.biz/legalisingcannabis.htm
Sexual conduct; Same
sex ‘marriages’ (civil
partnerships);
prostitution; torture.
Happiness – its
value as a goal
Film extract from
‘The Matrix’
introduces an unreal
world where
individuals are kept
falsely happy allowing
students to evaluate
option.
Issues Arising:
Strengths and
Try using the calculus
to assess the
Bowie and fryer
(2008) religious
studies AS for AQA
chapter 3
Oliphant (2011) AQA
religious ethics for AS
and A2 chapter 2

Bowie and fryer
(2008) religious
studies AS for AQA
chapter 3
Oliphant (2011) AQA
religious ethics for AS
and A2 chapter 2

Bowie and fryer
(2008) religious
studies AS for AQA
chapter 3
Oliphant (2011) AQA
religious ethics for AS
and A2 chapter 2


weaknesses
‘rightness’ of the
calculus.
End Pain or Cause Scenarios where the
options are the use of
Pleasure?
Bowie and fryer
(2008) religious
studies AS for AQA
chapter 3
Oliphant (2011) AQA
religious ethics for AS
and A2 chapter 2

How compatible
with a religious
approach?
Bowie and fryer
(2008) religious
studies AS for AQA
chapter 3
Oliphant (2011) AQA
religious ethics for AS
and A2 chapter 2

happiness making
resources to add to
pleasure (e.g.
gambling, feeding
drug addiction,
holidays, fashion) or
to remove pain
(e.g. poverty, hunger,
deprivation) – groups
make judgements
both as utilitarians
(some as Bentham
some as Mill) and
using religious
principles or teaching.
Various happiness
making resources to
be considered – time,
money, possessions.
Contrast the outcome
of some decisions
arrived at using
utilitarianism with
traditional moral code
(e.g. prostitution)
Show how outcomes
may in fact be similar,
e.g. Rule utilitarianism
and quality of
‘happiness’ – “To do as
one would be done by,
and to love one's
neighbour as oneself,
constitute the ideal
perfection of
utilitarian morality.
• Show how
situationism can be
considered utilitarian
• Could also draw on
Buddhism – its
morality has been
seen as utilitarian and
on aspects of New
Testament parables.
Opportunity to use
more than one religion
useful here. Buddhism
is strongly Utilitarian
according to some.
Exam Practice
Lesson on how to
respond to exam
‘command words’,
evaluation techniques
and general exam
practice.
Bowie and fryer
(2008) religious
studies AS for AQA
chapter 3
Oliphant (2011) AQA
religious ethics for AS
and A2 chapter 2
