What does the principle of utility state about an action?
An action is good if it maximises pleasure.
How does consequentialism evaluate an action?
By the consequences it produces.
What did Bentham claim about human nature and pleasure?
Human nature finds pleasure good and values nothing else.
Which author stated the principle of utility that an action is good if it maximises pleasure?
Bentham.
Which author claimed human beings are incapable of valuing anything besides pleasure?
Bentham.
What is Bentham's hedonic calculus used to calculate?
How much pleasure an action will produce.
How many criteria does Bentham's hedonic calculus include?
Seven criteria.
Which criteria are included in Bentham's hedonic calculus?
Intensity and duration are included among the criteria.
What does act utilitarianism require according to Bentham?
Doing the action that produces the greatest net pleasure.
What must be applied before choosing an action in act utilitarianism?
The hedonic calculus.
Which author introduced the hedonic calculus and act utilitarianism concepts?
Bentham.
How did Bentham view all pleasures compared to Mill?
Bentham regarded all pleasures as equal.
What did Mill believe about higher pleasures of the mind?
Mill regarded higher pleasures of the mind as superior to lower pleasures.
What did Mill argue about higher pleasures regarding addiction and duration?
Higher pleasures have less risk of addiction and last longer.
What does Rule utilitarianism judge according to Mill?
Which social rules will maximise happiness if followed.
What does Rule utilitarianism require people to do?
Follow the social rules that maximise happiness.
What does Mill’s harm principle state about personal freedom?
People should be free to do what they want as long as they do not harm others.
What is the calculation problem in predicting future consequences?
Future consequences cannot be predicted with certainty.
Why can't subjective pleasure be used in calculation?
Subjective pleasure cannot be measured objectively.
How did Bentham respond to the calculation problem?
He argued past similar actions reveal tendencies making prediction reliable enough for utilitarianism.
Which author responded that past actions reveal tendencies for prediction?
Bentham
What is Mill's approach to addressing the calculation problem?
Develop social rules that maximise happiness and improve over time.
What does Mill suggest about judging individual actions?
Generally stop judging every action separately.
Which author proposed developing social rules to maximise happiness?
Mill
What type of claims are human rights considered?
Deontological claims.
What intrinsic right is an example of a human right?
The right to life.
What do critics say utilitarianism could justify if it increases overall happiness?
Killing or slavery.
What example illustrates critics' concern about utilitarianism?
Enslaving 10% for the happiness of 90%.
What principle does Mill’s rule utilitarianism use to forbid slavery?
The harm principle.
According to strong rule utilitarianism, should a rule be broken if it maximises happiness?
No, it should not be broken.
When does weak rule utilitarianism say a rule should be broken?
When breaking it maximises happiness.
Into what does weak rule utilitarianism collapse?
Act utilitarianism.
Test your knowledge with 13 questions on Utilitarianism: Bentham and Mill.
1. What does Bentham’s principle of utility use to determine whether an action is good?
2. What does consequentialism primarily evaluate when judging an action?
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