Chapter Seven:Chapter Seven:UtilitarianismUtilitarianism

Utilitarianism is a universal teleological systemUtilitarianism is a universal teleological system

It calls for the maximization of goodness in It calls for the maximization of goodness in society - that is, the greatest amount of society - that is, the greatest amount of

goodness for the greatest number of people- goodness for the greatest number of people- and not merely the good of the agentand not merely the good of the agent

Two Types of Ethical SystemsTwo Types of Ethical Systems

DeontologyDeontology: From the Greek word : From the Greek word deondeon meaning “duty” and meaning “duty” and logoslogos meaning “logic”. The meaning “logic”. The center of value is the act or kind of act; certain center of value is the act or kind of act; certain features in the act itself have intrinsic value.features in the act itself have intrinsic value.Teleological ethicsTeleological ethics: From the Greek word: From the Greek word telostelos meaning “goal directed”. The center of meaning “goal directed”. The center of value is the outcome or consequences of the act.value is the outcome or consequences of the act.

Classic UtilitarianismClassic UtilitarianismJeremy BenthamJeremy Bentham

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)He invented a scheme for measuring pain and He invented a scheme for measuring pain and pleasure that he called the pleasure that he called the hedonic calculushedonic calculus..According to Bentham, one should maximize According to Bentham, one should maximize pleasure and minimize suffering.pleasure and minimize suffering.

Two Main Features of Two Main Features of UtilitarianismUtilitarianism

The consequentialist principleThe consequentialist principle: the rightness or : the rightness or wrongness of an act is determined by the wrongness of an act is determined by the goodness or badness of the results that flow from goodness or badness of the results that flow from ititThe utility or hedonist principleThe utility or hedonist principle: the only thing : the only thing that is good in itself is some specific type of state that is good in itself is some specific type of state (ie. pleasure, happiness, welfare)(ie. pleasure, happiness, welfare)

John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)Mill wanted to distinguish happiness from Mill wanted to distinguish happiness from mere pleasure.mere pleasure.Eudaimonistic utilitarianismEudaimonistic utilitarianismHe defines happiness in terms of a higher order He defines happiness in terms of a higher order of pleasures or satisfactions.of pleasures or satisfactions.Higher or more refined pleasure are superior to Higher or more refined pleasure are superior to lower pleasures.lower pleasures.

Act- and Rule-UtilitarianismAct- and Rule-UtilitarianismAct-utilitarianismAct-utilitarianism: An act is right if and only if : An act is right if and only if it results in as much good as any available it results in as much good as any available alternative.alternative.

Rule-utilitarianismRule-utilitarianism: An act is right if it is : An act is right if it is required by a rule that is itself a member of a set required by a rule that is itself a member of a set of rules whose acceptance would lead to greater of rules whose acceptance would lead to greater utility for society than any available alternative.utility for society than any available alternative.

The Strengths of UtilitarianismThe Strengths of UtilitarianismA single principle, an absolute system with a A single principle, an absolute system with a potential answer for every situation.potential answer for every situation.It seems to get at the substance of morality It seems to get at the substance of morality because it has a material core: promoting human because it has a material core: promoting human (and possibly animal) flourishing and reduce (and possibly animal) flourishing and reduce suffering.suffering.Well-suited to address the Well-suited to address the problem of posterityproblem of posterity

Criticism of UtilitarianismCriticism of UtilitarianismProblems with Formulating Problems with Formulating

UtilitarianismUtilitarianismHow do you measure the term “greatest”?How do you measure the term “greatest”?The greatest number of people over the The greatest number of people over the greatest amount of happiness –how to define?greatest amount of happiness –how to define?What about those who are not in the greatest What about those who are not in the greatest amount?amount?Is it total or general happiness?Is it total or general happiness?

The Comparative Consequences The Comparative Consequences ObjectionObjection

We normally do not know the long term We normally do not know the long term consequences of all of our actions.consequences of all of our actions.Consequences go on into the infinite future, so Consequences go on into the infinite future, so we really cannot know them.we really cannot know them.Calculation is impossible.Calculation is impossible.

Two kinds of ConsequencesTwo kinds of Consequences

1) Actual consequences of an act1) Actual consequences of an act

2) Consequences that could reasonably have 2) Consequences that could reasonably have been expected to occurbeen expected to occur

Two Corresponding Two Corresponding Right ActionsRight Actions

1) 1) Absolutely rightAbsolutely right if it has the best actual if it has the best actual consequencesconsequences

(as per consequence 1)(as per consequence 1)

2) 2) Objectively rightObjectively right if it is reasonable to expect if it is reasonable to expect that it will have the best consequencesthat it will have the best consequences

(as per consequence 2)(as per consequence 2)

The Consistency Objection to The Consistency Objection to Rule-UtilitarianismRule-Utilitarianism

When pushed to its logical limits, it must either When pushed to its logical limits, it must either become a deontological system or transform become a deontological system or transform itself into act-utilitarianismitself into act-utilitarianism

The No-Rest ObjectionThe No-Rest Objection

We always have an infinite set of possible acts to We always have an infinite set of possible acts to choose from, and even if I can be excused choose from, and even if I can be excused from considering all of them, I can be fairly from considering all of them, I can be fairly sure that there is often a preferable act that I sure that there is often a preferable act that I could be doing.could be doing.

The Publicity ObjectionThe Publicity Objection

Moral principles must be known to all, but Moral principles must be known to all, but utilitarians do not claim everyone should act utilitarians do not claim everyone should act like a utilitarian.like a utilitarian.

The Relativism ObjectionThe Relativism Objection

It seems to endorse different rules in different It seems to endorse different rules in different societiessocieties

Also, the more serious worry is that it might Also, the more serious worry is that it might become so plastic that it justifies any moral become so plastic that it justifies any moral rule.rule.

Criticism of the Ends Justifying Criticism of the Ends Justifying Immoral MeansImmoral Means

1) If a moral theory justifies actions that we 1) If a moral theory justifies actions that we universally deem impermissible, then that universally deem impermissible, then that moral theory must be rejectedmoral theory must be rejected

2) Utilitarianism justifies actions that we 2) Utilitarianism justifies actions that we universally deem impermissibleuniversally deem impermissible

3) Therefore, utilitarianism must be rejected3) Therefore, utilitarianism must be rejected

The Lying ObjectionThe Lying Objection

It leads to the counterintuitive endorsement of It leads to the counterintuitive endorsement of lying when it serves the greater goodlying when it serves the greater good

The Integrity ObjectionThe Integrity Objection

Personal integrity can be violated by Personal integrity can be violated by commanding that we violate our most central commanding that we violate our most central and deeply held principlesand deeply held principles

The Justice ObjectionThe Justice Objection

Utilitarians could consider actions that go Utilitarians could consider actions that go against standards of justice that most of us against standards of justice that most of us think should never be dispensed withthink should never be dispensed with