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Utilitarianism - Coggle Diagram

- - - - It is in line with human rights
      - Keeps us safe from exploitation by the powerful
      - certain to bring around happiness
    - - There is a lack of simplicity as it can be hard to distinguish between higher and lower pleasures sometimes
      - Only a select few are able to participate in the higher pleasures
      - Sidgewick said "we cannot distinguish between higher and lower pleasures"
      - For some lower pleasures might generate more pleasure than higher pleasures
- - - - Can be seen as compassionate because it focuses on the consequences of an action and therefore focusing on more people than just yourself
      - It is a very simple and easy to understand theory
      - It is used in most democratic systems
      - The theory supports human nature as we all want to be happy
      - With more societies becoming secular Bentham's theory gains popularity because it doesn't rely on any sort of God
    - - It can be too simplistic and not provide a relevant answer in all situations if the only goal is just pleasure
      - It can lead us to do actions that seem morally questionable like killing someone for their organs as it would save more people
      - Philip Petite "there is nothing that act utilitarianism wont allow not rape, not torture, not even murder"
      - Macintyre said that we should "reject the theory as it allows horrendous acts to be permitted just because the majority wants it to happen" Eg: child labour in sweatshops for lower prices
      - The theory doesn't take into account who the other person is in each situation. For example we are more likely risk our lives for a family member rather than a stranger
      - What should we do if two acts generate the same amount of happiness
      - Robert Nozick said that "happiness is not important"