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

Introduction (pp. 1-7) The Euthyphro Dilemma ‘Are actions ‘good’ simply because the gods

command them or do the gods command certain actions because they are ‘good’?’

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) Act and Rule Utilitarianism Principle of the greatest good

Kantian Ethics (pp. 34-37) Categorical imperative Universal maxim Respect of persons

Introduction

This is a viewpoint independent of religious belief (though religious people can use it).

It is focussed on the consequences of the action.

There are different types of Utilitarianism: Act, Rule and Preference.

Utilitarianism is based on the Principle of Utility or the greatest good.

Let’s presume it is wrong to kill a baby…

You have invented a time machine!

You press the button and find yourself alone in a room with baby Hitler.

What are some of the possible consequences if he chose to kill the baby…

If it stopped WW2 would it make it right?

The Principle of the greatest good, or utility.

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

Rewrite this in your own words please.

Problems with Consequences

How can you know for sure what the consequences of the action may be?

Often the consequences of actions are not in your control.

Furthermore, the consequences you want from an action may not be what anyone else wants.

Utilitarian Consequences

Utilitarians say that our moral choices should be based on getting the greatest good (or pleasure/happiness) for the greatest number of people.

This is called The Principle of Utility (or the greatest good).

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Utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of actions

The Principle of the greatest good or utility

Act Utilitarianism

Where the probable consequences of your actions decide whether your actions were right or wrong.

If your actions are likely to lead to the greatest good for the greatest number, they are probably right.

Add an example of an action to your notes that demonstrates this point.

Rule Utilitarianism

This is when you design rules that allow the greatest good for the greatest number.

Add an example of a rule to your notes that could be considered to be Utilitarian.

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

In many schools, uniform is a rule.

What are the beneficial consequences of school uniform? Who for?

Could school uniform be seen as leading to the greatest good for the greatest number?

Would a Utilitarian support the wearing of school uniform?

Preference Utilitarianism

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? Who decides what pleasure or happiness is?

Can you ever fully predict all the possible outcomes of a moral decision?

Who decides what to take into account when trying to work out if a decision produces happiness?

What about the minority? Is this fair?

Would it lead to a ‘sacrifice’ society? What kind of society would it lead to?

Check your learning

Act Utilitarianism

Rule Utilitarianism

Preference Utilitarianism

Problems with Utilitarianism?

Christianity on Utilitarianism

Christian morality often seems to Utilitarian in nature: the idea of sacrifice.

Death of Jesus as example in Christian belief.

The idea of self-sacrifice is often encouraged in Christianity

The issue for Christians is what happens to the minority.

Christianity on Utilitarianism

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

Outcomes are very important to Buddhists. Actions have kammic consequences and doing the right thing is about maximising kamma for as many as possible.

Buddhists however would be wary of sacrifice – the Buddha tried asceticism (starving himself) to find enlightenment but found nothing.

Buddhism on Utilitarianism Buddhists work for the needs of others and

compassion is a central belief.

The Buddha left his wife and child to seek enlightenment – this could be seen as a Utilitarian decision.

‘Skilful actions’ is similar to Preference Utilitarianism.

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

Utilitarianism is itself a moral theory independent of religious belief.

Most modern Utilitarians like Peter Singer argue for a form of preference Utilitarianism.

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.

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

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.

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

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Christianity on Utilitarianism

Buddhism on Utilitarianism

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) The Euthyphro Dilemma ‘Are actions ‘good’ simply because the gods

command them or do the gods command certain actions because they are ‘good’?’

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) 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 Utilitarianfeel about Crime and Punishment?

How would an Act/Rule/Preference Utilitarian feel about the Purpose of Punishment?

How would an Act/Rule/Preference Utilitarian feel about Capital Punishment?