2. Lesson Goals
1.) To understand the basic tenets of
utilitarianism.
2.) To distinguish between act and rule
utilitarianism as alternative moral systems.
3.) To differentiate “the greatest good for
the greatest number” from “the common
good”.
5. Act-Utilitarianism
Looks at the
consequences of a
particular ACT
If the greatest happiness
for greatest number of
people occurs then that act
is RIGHT.
6. Bentham
Act utilitarian
Concerned with
quantity of happiness
Renown for his
“Introduction to the
Principles of Morals
and Legislation”
Gained a critical
following for his
doctrine of
utilitarianism
Social reform e.g.
Prison reform
7. Bentham
Nature has placed
mankind under the
governance of two
sovereign masters, pain
and pleasure. It is for
them alone to point out
what we ought to do,
as well as determine
what we shall do
8. Bentham
All politics aim at some
good:
Pursuit of individual
interests
Self-preservation and
order
The “good life”
Overall, politics is
meant to achieve the
common good
But what is the common
good?
9. Bentham
Basis of Utilitarianism
Beliefs
Pain and pleasure are
basic sensations that
direct our actions
Morality consists in
seeking out happiness
and avoiding pain
This is true of both
individuals and
governments.
10. Principle of Utility
We will seek that object which increases our
happiness more than the object can diminish it
If more happiness > less happiness, an
action is consistent with the principle of utility
11. Principle of Utility
Anything consistent
with the principle of
utility (pursuit of
happiness) is either
good, should be
done, or right.
13. Mill Rule utilitarian
Concerned with
quality of
happiness
“Better Socrates
dissatisfied than a
fool satisfied;
better a man
dissatisfied than a
pig satisfied”
16. We do not always choose the higher
pleasure (of the mind) over the lower
pleasure (of the body.)
E.g. you may cheat on the husband,
whom you love, for a handsome lover.
Mill said that having a noble character
leads to the world’s greater happiness.
But this only works if people become
noble.
18. Act and Rule UtilitarianismAct and Rule Utilitarianism
Compare / Contrast / Compare / Contrast / Compare / Contrast
Assess each individual situation on its
own merits with the aim of promoting
the greatest happiness for those
involved.
(1) People should follow and be
guided by moral rules
(2) which in the past have shown to
promote the greatest happiness of the
greatest number.
Act Utilitarian
Rule Utilitarian
19. Bentham and MillBentham and Mill
Compare / Contrast / Compare / Contrast / Compare / Contrast
BENTHAM J.S. MILL
Emphasis on pleasure
Labelled an act utilitarian
Social Reformer: criminal,
judicial, penal
Concerned with QUANTITY of pleasure
“Push-pin [a simple child's game] is as good as
poetry”
Concerned with QUALITY of pleasure “…
better to be a Socrates dissatisfied than a fool
satisfied”
Emphasis on happiness
Labelled a rule utilitarian
Social Reformer: equality for
women
Principle of Utility Greatest Happiness Principle
20. •These principles have been compared to Jesus’ Golden Rule,
“Love your neighbour as yourself” or “Do unto others as you
would have them do unto you.”
•Utilitarianism upholds the message of a benevolent God
showing interest for the well-being of human beings; but
utilitarianism avoids reference to the metaphysical God!
Actions are right in
proportion as they tend to
promote happiness, wrong
as they tend to promote
unhappiness.
Principle of Utility Greatest Happiness Principle
Both Bentham and Mill were concerned with producing the
greatest aggregate happiness (irrespective as to how that
happiness was distributed.)
The good is that which will
bring about the greatest
sum of pleasure, or the
least sum of pain, for the
greatest number
21. Pleasure is not the same as happiness!Pleasure is not the same as happiness!
There are two main differences between pleasure and happiness
PLEASURE
Gratification Satisfaction
PLEASURE
Pursued as an end
in its own right
HAPPINESS
An indirect
by-product of
another activity
1
2
HAPPINESS
22. Pleasure is not the same as happiness!Pleasure is not the same as happiness!
Hedonistic utilitarianism – “a pig philosophy fit only
for swine.” (J.S Mill)
A person may have a lot of gratifying, pleasurable
experiences but see life as pointless and superficial
and so be very unhappy.
e.g, A divorced, wealthy, young man may seek
pleasure from drugs, alcohol and an active sex life
with many partners, but lack the happiness of true
friendship and the love of his family.
24. Should One Use The Eggs Of An AbortedShould One Use The Eggs Of An Aborted
Foetus To Help Infertile Couples?Foetus To Help Infertile Couples?
• The scientist Roger Gosden thinks it is
possible to use eggs obtained from an
aborted foetus to be used to help
infertile women who suffer from
genetic abnormalities, such as Tasachs.
• By the 11th
week of foetal development
all the eggs that a woman will have
during her life-time are present.
• What might a utilitarian think?
Give reasons to support their views.
Professor
Roger Gosden
25. Using Eggs Of An Aborted Foetus…?Using Eggs Of An Aborted Foetus…?
• A gift from God, created imago
dei, sacred from the moment of
conception.
• Abortion is contrary to natural
law. Killing of innocent life.
• Human beings are stewards of
the world - should not play God.
• Issue of permission / consent?
• Unknown long-term physical
and psychological affects on the
child
• Science: challenging God given
definition of `family’.
• Life begins at birth, not
conception.
• Relief to suffering of infertile
women / couples.
• Overcomes shortage of egg
donors.
• Benefit of scientific technology.
• Consequences of restrictive
laws? If banned in the UK
scientists will go to the Ukraine
with no regulatory bodies, such
as HFEA, to monitor research.
• Ability to predict consequences?
Roger Gosden
Scientific Researcher
Pope John Paul II
Roman Catholic Church
Some further points to consider…
26. The Survival Lottery
(by Professor John Harris)
• Patients Y and Z will die unless they receive
organ transplants – in which case they will
live for a further 20 years.
• There is a lack of donor organs.
• Faced with the prospect of imminent death
patients Y and Z propose a `National Survival
Lottery’ – where each week a person’s
number would be pulled out at random,
he or she would be killed, and their organs
donated to help those in need of a
transplant; saving a greater number of lives.
• Explain a utilitarian response to the
suggestion of a National Survival Lottery.
Professor John Harris
12
6
22
14
3 27
27. The Survival Lottery
Some further points to consider…
• Is there a difference between killing and letting
die? (Patients Y and Z do not think so!)
• Is one’s individuality undermined?
• Would the ‘National Survival Lottery’ create
a climate of fear, or would people become
accustomed to the unlikely probability?
• What about those who have brought their illness
upon themselves, e.g through heavy smoking,
should they benefit equally?
• How would a sub-class of people be
protected from not being victimised?
• Can society take away the intrinsic right to life?
Where does its authority lie?
12
6
22
14
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Professor
John Harris
28. • Public Opinion Polls in the UK show that the
majority of people would like to see voluntary
euthanasia legalised. e.g. 82% 2001.
• The UK is an increasingly secular society where
the Quality of Life is considered to be more
important than the sanctity of human life.
• 20% of patients in Intensive Care Units are being
treated with no likelihood of survival.
• Would a utilitarian agree with the legalisation of
voluntary euthanasia?
Legalise Voluntary Euthanasia?Legalise Voluntary Euthanasia?
29. Legalise Voluntary Euthanasia?Legalise Voluntary Euthanasia?
Some further points to consider…
• Would voluntary euthanasia undermine the role
of the doctor? (cf. the Hippocratic oath, the
medical duty to preserve innocent human life.)
• Is the current law of `the principle of double
effect’ satisfactory in a secular society?
• Consequences of restrictive laws? Will people
pursue a policy of illegal euthanasia?
• Would legalising voluntary euthanasia pressurise
vulnerable members of society? (The Church of
England’s concern, On Dying Well 1993)
• Is voluntary euthanasia a private, or a public,
act? (How does it differ from suicide?)
Pius XII
J.S. Mill
Hippocrates
Williams
Kevorkian
31. Advantages of Utilitarianism
It is easy to demonstrate that
Utilitarianism is fair, since its
basic principles are widely
accepted.
32. Advantages of Utilitarianism
It does not appear to require any prior beliefs
about the nature of the world or religion, and
can be appreciated across different religions
and cultures.
33. Advantages of Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is the moral side of democracy.
E.g. it is the basis for the NHI: care is
provided to improve the health of the
population and if more money is spent on the
health service, people are healthier and
therefore happier.
34. Advantages of Utilitarianism
It relates to actions which can be
observed in the real world e.g. giving
to charity promotes happiness for
poor people and is seen to be good,
whereas an act of cruelty is
condemned as bad.
35. Advantages of Utilitarianism
Its consequentialism is also a
strength as when we act it is only
natural to weigh up the consequences.
36. Advantages of Utilitarianism
Preference Utilitarianism also gives us the
valuable principle of ‘standing in someone else’s
shoes’ (Hare). It is important to think about
others’ interests or preferences as long as one
also includes behaving justly.
Learning Objectives:
1.) To understand the basic tenets of utilitarianism.
2.) To distinguish between act and rule utilitarianism as alternative moral systems.
3.) To differentiate “the greatest good for the greatest number” from “the common good”.
