Utilitarianism

This Theory was presented by the English philosophers and economists Jeremy
Bentham and John Stuart Mill in 19th Century. Utilitarianism is a species
of consequentialism, the general doctrine in ethics that actions should be evaluated
on the basis of their consequences.

 Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that determines right from wrong by

focusing on outcomes. It is a form of consequentialism.

 Actions are right if they produce more good than bad when the
consequences to all affected parties are considered. Otherwise, they are
wrong.

 Also known as the “greatest happiness principle”. An action is right if it

produces the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number.

 It is also the most common approach to moral reasoning used in business

because of the way in which it accounts for costs and benefits.

What is good?

Utilitarianism is an effort to provide an answer to the practical question “What

ought a person to do?” The answer is that a person ought to act so as to maximize
happiness or pleasure and to minimize unhappiness or pain.
- Pleasure
- Absence of pain
- Happiness
- Satisfaction of preferences
- Well-being

Measurement of Utilitarianism

- Quantity
- Quality
- Certainly (How likely is it)
- Duration (How long will it last)
- Fecundity (Will it be followed by the same sensations)
- Purity (Will it be followed by the opposite sensations)

Utilitarian Analysis

 Analysis is universal: If action is right for me, it is right for all similarly
placed.
 Each person count equally
 The consequences for all are considered
 Not just a cost-benefit analysis
 Calculation is objective

Act vs. Rule Utilitarianism

Act utilitarianism:
- Consider effects of this particular act in this particular circumstance. (e.g., falsify
the data in this particular case.)

Rule utilitarianism:
- Consider effects of following the general rule covering this class of actions. (e.g.,
falsify data whenever you feel like it.)

Utilitarian Application

 State the action to be evaluated

 Identify all affected by the action
 Is there some dominant consideration?
 Specify all the good and bad consequences for all affected parties
 Consider all alternatives imaginatively
“The action that produces the most good over bad is the morally correct action.”

Potential Pitfalls to Guard Against

 Stopping analysis too soon
 Not considering all those affected, including those indirectly affected
 Giving preference as more likely to the outcomes one prefers
 Guessing consequences without adequate basis
 Weighing good versus bad outcomes too quickly and without adequate
justification
Limitations

In some new situations we cannot know the consequences of an act or policy

It gives a circuitous and counterintuitive account of.

 Justice
 Rights
 Virtue
However, because we cannot predict the future, it’s difficult to know the certainty
consequences of our actions, “will be good or bad.” This is one of the limitations
of utilitarianism.