Page 2: Modern Utilitarianism and Ethical Dilemmas

This page explores more recent developments in utilitarian thought and addresses some of the key challenges and criticisms faced by the theory.

Louis Pojman proposes a multilevel approach to utilitarianism, suggesting the use of rules of thumb that generally maximize utility. This approach aims to make utilitarianism more practical and realistic in everyday decision-making.

Vocabulary: Multilevel utilitarianism is an approach that combines elements of both act and rule utilitarianism, using general rules while allowing for flexibility in specific situations.

Peter Singer's preference utilitarianism shifts the focus from pleasure to the satisfaction of preferences. This version of utilitarianism requires weighing up the interests of all those involved or impacted by an action, including animals, as sentient beings also have preferences.

Definition: Preference utilitarianism is a form of utilitarianism that defines the good to be maximized as the satisfaction of preferences rather than pleasure or happiness.

Critics argue that utilitarianism can lead to counterintuitive or morally problematic outcomes. Bernard Williams contends that utilitarianism can violate our moral integrity by encouraging us to perform actions we would otherwise find repulsive.

Example: Williams presents the case of Jim, who is invited to kill one innocent person to save nineteen others, illustrating how utilitarianism might require actions that conflict with our moral intuitions.

The trolley dilemma, popularized by Philippa Foot, highlights the difficulties in applying utilitarian calculations to complex moral situations. This thought experiment reveals the subjective nature of utilitarian decision-making and its potential limitations in real-world scenarios.

Highlight: The trolley dilemma demonstrates the challenges of applying utilitarian principles consistently across different scenarios, revealing potential inconsistencies in moral intuitions.

Critics also argue that utilitarianism places unrealistic demands on individuals, requiring them to be "superhumans" who constantly calculate the consequences of their actions and potentially neglect personal relationships in favor of maximizing overall utility.

Quote: "The theory requires us to be superhumans, who forego the requirements of personal relationships." - This criticism highlights the potential conflict between utilitarian demands and the realities of human psychology and social bonds.

Page 1: Classical Utilitarianism and Its Critics

This page introduces the fundamental concepts of utilitarianism and presents key arguments for and against this ethical theory.

Jeremy Bentham's act utilitarianism is based on the greatest happiness principle, which states that the morally correct choice is the one that brings about the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Bentham proposed a hedonic calculus to quantify pleasure, considering factors such as duration, intensity, and certainty.

Definition: Act utilitarianism is an ethical approach that evaluates the morality of an action based on its consequences and the amount of happiness or well-being it produces for the greatest number of people.

John Stuart Mill refined utilitarianism by introducing the concept of rule utilitarianism and distinguishing between higher and lower pleasures. Mill argued that social rules are necessary to maximize utility and that some pleasures, such as intellectual pursuits, are inherently more valuable than others.

Quote: "It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied." - John Stuart Mill

Robert Nozick's experience machine thought experiment challenges the hedonistic aspects of utilitarianism. Nozick argues that most people would choose not to "plug in" to a machine that provides only pleasurable experiences, suggesting that there are values beyond mere pleasure that humans find important.

Highlight: Nozick's experience machine demonstrates that the value of pleasure being earned is greater than living a false life of endless pleasures, challenging the core tenets of hedonistic utilitarianism.

Critics of utilitarianism, such as intuitionists like G.E. Moore, argue that morality is simple and can be known intuitively without the need for complex calculations or rules. Moore contends that moral concepts, like the color yellow, are simple and cannot be broken down into smaller components.

Example: Moore's argument can be illustrated by considering how we intuitively recognize the color yellow without needing to break it down into constituent parts or apply a complex set of rules.