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5 Utilitarianism
5 Utilitarianism
is grounded in the
consequences.”
Chapter 5
It has a primary consideration on effects rather than the motives.
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Goodness is equated with pleasure of
sensual nature.
“Utility is meant that property in any
object, whereby it tends to produce
benefit… to prevent the happening of
mischief… whose interest is
considered.”
• Utility=pleasure – the only moral objective
standard; it would also mean that it would serve
a purpose.
• According to Mill and Bentham, utilitarianism
aims at consequences which are good for the
public, and this is happiness.
• “The creed which accepts as the foundation of
morals, holds that human actions are right as 5
they tend to produce happiness and wrong if
otherwise.” (Mill 2007:6) An act is of moral worth if the effect is
desirable.
^The greatest good for the greatest number – Francis Hutcheson.
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The importance of utility is that it
appeals to people’s common sense.
Its aim is to arrive at a definite basis of when to say that an act is right or wrong. It
goes to say that what really matters is the maximization of pleasure.
1. INTENSITY 2. DURATION
• The more the pleasure, the better. • The longer the pleasure lasts, the
• One is morally bound to do an act better.
that offers a stronger degree of • One is morally obliged to do the act
happiness. if it provides a longer experience of
pleasure.
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3. CERTAINTY 4. PROPINQUITY
• The more certain the pleasure, the • The nearer or more frequent
better. pleasure occurs, the better.
• One should pursue an action • One should do an act which brings
where pleasure is expected. about immediate pleasure.
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5. FECUNDITY 6. PURITY 7. EXTENT
• The greater the possibility • The purer the pleasure, • The greater number of
that pleasure will arise the better. people to experience
from a preceding act, the pleasure, the better.
better. • If pleasure only is only a
resultant of pain, then it is • One is morally
• One is morally required to not a wise idea to do the necessitated to do an
do an act that would
ensure a series of action. action which would
pleasure. • Do an act which is not make everyone happy.
tainted by pain. • Everyone’s hapinness >
personal happiness
2007, 7)
Moral action in both act and rule utilitarianism is an act which results to
maximum utility.
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Every action should be geared towards
something that could be beneficial.
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1. It is able to transcend the
narrow view of morality. It has
altruistic attitude.
2. Has an empirical anchor
[pleasure].
3. Provides an absolute principle
for an individual to use in
each situation.
4. Qualitative and Quantitative
view escapes the simplistic 13
view.
5. The Hedonic Calculus leads
us to determine our course of
action.
6. Leads us to be mindful of our
actions.
7. It is a simple theory that could
be used by anyone.
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8. “It allows for a great deal of
flexibility and sensitivity to the
particular circumstances
surrounding an action,” since
its focus is not on the action
but on the effect.
9. Has wide-ranging application.
10.It is a philosophy that
considers one’s well-being of 15