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All About Utilitarianism: Examples, Theories, and Questions for A Level Philosophy

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All About Utilitarianism: Examples, Theories, and Questions for A Level Philosophy
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Oliver Grimes

@olivergrimes_isnl

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Utilitarianism and Consequentialist Ethics in Moral Philosophy explores the fundamental principles of moral decision-making through pleasure and pain evaluation.

Key points:

  • Consequentialism evaluates moral worth based on outcomes rather than intentions
  • Jeremy Bentham theory of utilitarianism introduces quantitative pleasure measurement
  • John Stuart Mill theory of utilitarianism develops qualitative distinctions in pleasure types
  • Non-hedonistic approaches expand beyond pleasure to include preferences and suffering reduction
  • Various philosophers offer different interpretations of utility maximization

27/06/2022

832

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

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Page 6: Non-Hedonistic Utilitarianism

This page examines alternative approaches to utilitarianism that move beyond pleasure-based calculations.

Highlight: Singer's approach focuses on minimizing suffering rather than maximizing pleasure, recognizing greater consensus on what constitutes pain versus pleasure.

Definition: Preference utilitarianism judges actions based on their ability to satisfy the preferences of all affected parties rather than purely on pleasure or pain outcomes.

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

View

John Stuart Mill's Qualitative Hedonistic Utilitarianism

This section explores John Stuart Mill's refinement of utilitarianism, which introduced a qualitative dimension to measuring pleasure and addressed some criticisms of Bentham's approach.

Key points:

  • Mill critiqued the potential for "tyranny of the majority" in Bentham's theory
  • Introduced the Harm Principle to limit actions that harm others
  • Distinguished between "higher" (intellectual) and "lower" (bodily) pleasures
  • Argued that the quality of pleasure matters, not just quantity

Quote: Mill famously stated it is "better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied."

Vocabulary: The Harm Principle states that individual liberty should only be limited to prevent harm to others.

Example: Mill would argue that the pleasure derived from reading great literature is qualitatively superior to the pleasure of indulging in alcohol, even if the latter might be more intense.

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

View

Forms of Utilitarianism

This section introduces the concept of utility in ethics and explores different forms of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is a specific type of consequentialist ethical theory focused on maximizing overall well-being or happiness.

Key points:

  • Utility refers to the total well-being or happiness produced by an action
  • Utilitarianism aims to maximize utility for the greatest number of people
  • Different forms of utilitarianism vary in how they define and measure utility

Vocabulary: Utility in ethics refers to the total well-being or happiness produced by an action.

Definition: Maximizing utility means choosing actions that produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

View

Non-Hedonistic Utilitarianism

This section examines more modern variations of utilitarianism that move beyond pleasure as the sole measure of utility, including preference utilitarianism.

Key thinkers and concepts:

  • J.C.C. Smart: Focused on attitudes towards pleasure rather than inherent quality
  • R.M. Hare: Introduced preference utilitarianism, judging actions by how well they satisfy preferences
  • G.E. Moore: Proposed ideal utilitarianism based on intuitions of indefinable goods
  • Peter Singer: Emphasized minimizing suffering rather than maximizing pleasure

Definition: Preference utilitarianism judges the morality of actions based on how well they satisfy the preferences of those affected.

Highlight: These approaches attempt to address criticisms of hedonistic utilitarianism by considering factors beyond just pleasure and pain.

Example: Singer's approach might prioritize alleviating extreme poverty over increasing happiness for those already well-off, as reducing suffering is seen as more ethically important than increasing pleasure.

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

View

Jeremy Bentham's Quantitative Hedonistic Utilitarianism

This section examines Jeremy Bentham's influential quantitative approach to utilitarianism, which focuses on measuring and maximizing pleasure.

Key concepts:

  • Psychological Hedonism: The idea that seeking pleasure and avoiding pain drives all human behavior
  • Quantitative Hedonism: Aiming to produce the highest amount of pleasure and least pain
  • Utility Principle: Acting to produce the most pleasure for the most people
  • Hedonic Calculus: A method for calculating the moral value of actions based on pleasure produced

Quote: Bentham described pleasure and pain as "two sovereign masters" that humanity is "fastened to their throne".

Highlight: Bentham developed the Hedonic Calculus as a practical tool for measuring the morality of actions based on the pleasure they produce.

Example: The Hedonic Calculus considers factors like intensity, duration, certainty, and extent of pleasure when evaluating actions.

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

View

Consequentialism in Ethics

Consequentialism is a fundamental concept in moral philosophy that judges the morality of actions based solely on their outcomes or consequences. This approach contrasts with other ethical frameworks that consider motives or inherent rightness of actions.

Key points about consequentialism:

  • Focuses on the results of actions rather than intentions
  • Can seem counterintuitive by ignoring motives
  • Bentham argued motives are irrelevant since all are driven by pleasure
  • Faces challenges in comparing different types of pleasures/outcomes
  • Debates whether quantity or quality of pleasure matters more

Definition: Consequentialism is the ethical theory that the morality of an action is determined by its consequences.

Example: A consequentialist approach might justify lying if it leads to a better outcome overall, even though lying is generally considered wrong.

Highlight: A key debate in consequentialism is whether the quantity or quality of pleasure produced matters more ethically.

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

View

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

View

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

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ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

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Subjects

/

Religious Studies

/

Component 1: philosophy of religion and ethics

/

Section b: ethics and religion

/

Bentham and kant

All About Utilitarianism: Examples, Theories, and Questions for A Level Philosophy

user profile picture

Oliver Grimes

@olivergrimes_isnl

·

129 Followers

Follow

Utilitarianism and Consequentialist Ethics in Moral Philosophy explores the fundamental principles of moral decision-making through pleasure and pain evaluation.

Key points:

  • Consequentialism evaluates moral worth based on outcomes rather than intentions
  • Jeremy Bentham theory of utilitarianism introduces quantitative pleasure measurement
  • John Stuart Mill theory of utilitarianism develops qualitative distinctions in pleasure types
  • Non-hedonistic approaches expand beyond pleasure to include preferences and suffering reduction
  • Various philosophers offer different interpretations of utility maximization

27/06/2022

832

 

12/12

 

Religious Studies

39

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

Page 6: Non-Hedonistic Utilitarianism

This page examines alternative approaches to utilitarianism that move beyond pleasure-based calculations.

Highlight: Singer's approach focuses on minimizing suffering rather than maximizing pleasure, recognizing greater consensus on what constitutes pain versus pleasure.

Definition: Preference utilitarianism judges actions based on their ability to satisfy the preferences of all affected parties rather than purely on pleasure or pain outcomes.

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

John Stuart Mill's Qualitative Hedonistic Utilitarianism

This section explores John Stuart Mill's refinement of utilitarianism, which introduced a qualitative dimension to measuring pleasure and addressed some criticisms of Bentham's approach.

Key points:

  • Mill critiqued the potential for "tyranny of the majority" in Bentham's theory
  • Introduced the Harm Principle to limit actions that harm others
  • Distinguished between "higher" (intellectual) and "lower" (bodily) pleasures
  • Argued that the quality of pleasure matters, not just quantity

Quote: Mill famously stated it is "better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied."

Vocabulary: The Harm Principle states that individual liberty should only be limited to prevent harm to others.

Example: Mill would argue that the pleasure derived from reading great literature is qualitatively superior to the pleasure of indulging in alcohol, even if the latter might be more intense.

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

Forms of Utilitarianism

This section introduces the concept of utility in ethics and explores different forms of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is a specific type of consequentialist ethical theory focused on maximizing overall well-being or happiness.

Key points:

  • Utility refers to the total well-being or happiness produced by an action
  • Utilitarianism aims to maximize utility for the greatest number of people
  • Different forms of utilitarianism vary in how they define and measure utility

Vocabulary: Utility in ethics refers to the total well-being or happiness produced by an action.

Definition: Maximizing utility means choosing actions that produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

Non-Hedonistic Utilitarianism

This section examines more modern variations of utilitarianism that move beyond pleasure as the sole measure of utility, including preference utilitarianism.

Key thinkers and concepts:

  • J.C.C. Smart: Focused on attitudes towards pleasure rather than inherent quality
  • R.M. Hare: Introduced preference utilitarianism, judging actions by how well they satisfy preferences
  • G.E. Moore: Proposed ideal utilitarianism based on intuitions of indefinable goods
  • Peter Singer: Emphasized minimizing suffering rather than maximizing pleasure

Definition: Preference utilitarianism judges the morality of actions based on how well they satisfy the preferences of those affected.

Highlight: These approaches attempt to address criticisms of hedonistic utilitarianism by considering factors beyond just pleasure and pain.

Example: Singer's approach might prioritize alleviating extreme poverty over increasing happiness for those already well-off, as reducing suffering is seen as more ethically important than increasing pleasure.

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

Jeremy Bentham's Quantitative Hedonistic Utilitarianism

This section examines Jeremy Bentham's influential quantitative approach to utilitarianism, which focuses on measuring and maximizing pleasure.

Key concepts:

  • Psychological Hedonism: The idea that seeking pleasure and avoiding pain drives all human behavior
  • Quantitative Hedonism: Aiming to produce the highest amount of pleasure and least pain
  • Utility Principle: Acting to produce the most pleasure for the most people
  • Hedonic Calculus: A method for calculating the moral value of actions based on pleasure produced

Quote: Bentham described pleasure and pain as "two sovereign masters" that humanity is "fastened to their throne".

Highlight: Bentham developed the Hedonic Calculus as a practical tool for measuring the morality of actions based on the pleasure they produce.

Example: The Hedonic Calculus considers factors like intensity, duration, certainty, and extent of pleasure when evaluating actions.

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

Consequentialism in Ethics

Consequentialism is a fundamental concept in moral philosophy that judges the morality of actions based solely on their outcomes or consequences. This approach contrasts with other ethical frameworks that consider motives or inherent rightness of actions.

Key points about consequentialism:

  • Focuses on the results of actions rather than intentions
  • Can seem counterintuitive by ignoring motives
  • Bentham argued motives are irrelevant since all are driven by pleasure
  • Faces challenges in comparing different types of pleasures/outcomes
  • Debates whether quantity or quality of pleasure matters more

Definition: Consequentialism is the ethical theory that the morality of an action is determined by its consequences.

Example: A consequentialist approach might justify lying if it leads to a better outcome overall, even though lying is generally considered wrong.

Highlight: A key debate in consequentialism is whether the quantity or quality of pleasure produced matters more ethically.

ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq
ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq
ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq
ವಿ UTILITARIANISM A CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH TO ETHICS Revision Cards Refifte Consequentialism Consequentialism is the idea that the conseq

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Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

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Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

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In education app charts in 12 countries

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Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

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I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.