Chapter 7

1. 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

2. 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.

3. Classic UtilitarianismClassic Utilitarianism
Jeremy 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.

4. 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
itit
The 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)

5. 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 utilitarianism
He 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.

6. Act- and Rule-UtilitarianismAct- and Rule-Utilitarianism
Act-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.

7. The Strengths of UtilitarianismThe Strengths of Utilitarianism
A 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

8. Criticism of UtilitarianismCriticism of Utilitarianism
Problems with Formulating Problems with Formulating
UtilitarianismUtilitarianism
How 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?

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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