Quiz: Situational Analysis and Critical Thinking using Utilitarianism as

Framework

NAME: ARCEO, CHRISTINE MAE G. Course Code: 1764

Course and Year: BSAc2 Date: 29/09/2020

Direction: Using the ethical framework of utilitarianism, answer the following questions
and/or give comments on the theses statements given.

1. Bentham assumes that pleasure and happiness have a size and so can be
measured and compared. Is this assumption possible?

No, because we cannot calculate pleasure empirically. Pleasures are profoundly

different and may actually be incomparable. They may not be able to be calculated by a
common norm such as the Hedonic Calculus. You might not be able to say confidently
that one something has more pleasure than the other, particularly if the experiences
were widely different.

2. Whose philosophy is more attractive to you, Bentham or Mill? Briefly explain your
choice.

Mill’s philosophy is more attractive for me. Because Mill believes that the only
confirmation that something is desirable is that it is genuinely desired by individuals. It is
a fact that happiness is a positive thing, and all people want their own happiness.
Therefore, it is clear that happiness is at least one objective, and one requirement, of
morality. Mill also believes that happiness is not an abstract concept but a whole with
individual components. Since virtue is part of happiness and encourages overall
happiness, then the development of virtue is promoted by utilitarianism.
3. Do you prefer buying one T-Shirt worth P500 (quality) or ten T-Shirts worth P500
(quantity)? Explain your preference.

I prefer purchasing 500 worth of 10 T shirts. Not all costly products are better
than cheaper ones. We just need to be careful and wise. There are so many cheaper
brands out there that generate products of high quality.  There is not that much
difference in quality between basic products, assuming they are manufactured correctly.
It's just a matter of preference.

4. What are subordinate rules? Can subordinate rules be violated? Is Euthanasia

justified on utilitarian grounds?

Subordinate rules are what we would normally call “common sense morality”. It is
a “natural" or common-sense views as being easier to justify or argue for.  And I think it
cannot be violated because it is the basic morality that people exercise day-to-day.
Euthanasia is justified on utilitarian grounds.  Euthanasia would simultaneously improve
happiness and reduce suffering. In addition, if the condition of a patient has impaired
their capacity to function, their utility has ended. The patient will no longer make a
contribution to society's overall satisfaction. The result of Euthanasia then promotes
utility and therefore happiness by eliminating the pain from the patient, their family, and
society.