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Utilitarianism (Definitions (Rule utilitarianism (Action is only right if…
Utilitarianism
Definitions
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Principle of utility
Approves/disproves of every action according to how it augments/diminishes the happiness of the people in question.
Felicific calculus
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More intense, longer, more certain, sooner and multiplying pleasures count more.
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Rule utilitarianism
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Solves justice - individuals have rights (rules) that will give greatest happiness in long run and prevent tyranny of majority
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Objection - when making friends, do i do so just to maximise happiness? Lack of importance of individual
Counter-arguments
Problem of calculation
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Inherited moral rules: 'tell the truth', 'do not steal' etc.
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Animals
Bentham
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Happiness matters equally, no matter what
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Tyranny of majority
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Greatest happiness might please majority, but not minority
Death penalty may make a lot of people happy, but the minority suffer more
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Rights & Liberties
Does not rule out actions as immoral, so no constraints
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Partiality
Too idealistic, we cannot treat each person as equal
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Intentions
'It is the thought that counts', but not to utilitarianism
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Objections
'Utility' means what is useful, not what is pleasurable.
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Pleasure
Higher and lower
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People prefer thought, feeling & imagination once physical needs are met
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Only good?
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Each person thinks their own happiness is good, and so the happiness of everyone is good in general
Objections
Fallacy of equivocation
Response
Everyone wants happiness, and so we infer that happiness is good
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Fallacy of composition
Just because each person desires their own happiness, everyone does not desires everybody's happiness
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Responses
Justice
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Society protects rights because protection from harm contributes to the most happiness in the long term
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