utilitarianism act utilitarianism: the right act is that which maximizes happiness (only version...
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Utilitarianism
Act Utilitarianism: The right act is that which maximizes happiness (only version we’ve been discussing thus far)
Rule Utilitarianism: The right act is the act which is in accordance with the rule, which, if universally followed, would maximize happiness (response to the “too permissive” and “dirty hands” charges.)
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Utilitarianism
Objection: Rule utilitarianism “collapses” into act utilitarianism.
Don’t kill.Don’t kill unless its in self-defense.Or as a part of a war whose outcome brings a greater
good.Or if by so doing you an avert the deaths of one or
more innocents…OK, just don’t kill unless it maximizes happiness.
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Deontology
• Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
• Founder of Deontology
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Deontology
The right act is that which is in accordance with the correct moral rule (GK. deon) or principle (Kant calls these “maxims”)
• Rejects hedonism• Rejects consequentialism• Different from Rule Utilitarianism--the
rules of deontology aren’t based on how much happiness they would produce.
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Deontology
The only thing which is intrinsically good is a good will.
A good will acts independently of the consequences.
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Deontology
Other SUPPOSED intrinsic goods:• Happiness• Intelligence• Wit• Freedom
All of the above can be bad if not combined with a good will.
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Deontology
Kant: 2 types of motives
• Desire• Reason
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Deontology
3 motives for the shopkeeper’s honesty• Direct inclination (desire)• Indirect inclination (desire)• Duty (reason)
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Deontology
DUTY means performing an action• Out respect for the moral law• From principle• Because it’s right (or wrong)Mixed motives OK if duty is primary.
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Deontology
If duty and desire coincide, you’re just lucky.• Ex: The duty to preserve your lifeHaving good desires itself is not
praiseworthy.• The Compassionate Philanthropist• Mr. Feziwig
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Deontology
Objection• Kant’s view implies Mother Theresa is no better than
Scrooge!Reply• Both are motivated by desire• Only the consequences differ• Morality is independent of consequences• People can’t control what they desire• They can control their rational choices
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Deontology
• To act morally, you must appreciate the act’s moral qualities
• Kant is a psychological egoist with regard to desire
• Moral action isn’t motivated by desire, but by reason
• Morality is doing what you should do, whether you want to or not
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Deontology
Imperative• A general policy or principle of action• A command we give ourselves2 Kinds of Imperatives• Hypothetical: tell you how to achieve some
desire.• Categorical: tells you what you must do
regardless of your desires.
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Deontology
Hypothetical Imperatives• Practical guides unrelated to morality• “If you want X, do Y.”• If you want to lose weight, eat fewer calories and
exercise more.• If you want a safe yet profitable investment, select
a diversified mutual fund.• If you want to improve your grades, spend more
time studying.
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Deontology
Categorical Imperatives• Absolute guides which comprise morality• “Don’t do Y!” “Do X!” or • Don’t kill innocent people!• Don’t cheat on your ethics test!• Help those in need!• Keep your promises!
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Deontology
The Categorical Imperative• The principle which unites all individual
categorical imperatives• Can be formulated various ways• Each formulation acts as a test
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Deontology
Maxim = Principle of ActionUniversal Law Formulation of the CI:
Act only on a maxim you could will to be a universal law.
Since morality is universal, any maxim must be universalizable.
Ex: The False PromiseYou can’t imagine a world where everyone acts on
the maxim: contradiction in concept
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Deontology
Other examples• Suicide• Murder• TheftThe above• contain contradictions in concept• Generate negative duties
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Deontology
Ex: The Rugged IndividualistYou can imagine a world where no one ever
helps without a reward.You can’t consistently will such a world:
contradiction in willContradictions in will generate positive duties.
Ex: The Unambitious Person
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Deontology
The Humanity Forumlation of the CI:Act so as to treat humanity as an end in
itself, never merely as a means.It’s wrong to use people.People can’t be treated like tools or inanimate
objects.You must consider the goals and interests of
others.
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Deontology
Examples• The Jealousy Plot• The Tyrannical Boss• Theft, murder• Prostitution
Objection: Doesn’t modern life require impersonal interactions
Reply: Maybe common courtesy is enough.