Utilitarianism

“The value of every act

is grounded in the
consequences.”

Chapter 5
A Consequentialist Morality
It has a primary consideration on effects rather than the motives.

It talks about ends rather than means 2

and it concerns with the consequences
of an action.
 The Difference of Utilitarianism from Other Ethical Theories

No action can be considered as good or bad; apart from the outcome or end.

CONSEQUENTIAL EXPECTED
• There is nothing that we can say in PRODUCTION
• Actions are morally significant if it
terms of the moral worth of the act produces what is expected from
that is not dependent to its them – act is a mere instrument to
consequences. achieve something.
• Actions itself does not have any
moral value.

Morality has instrumental value

 Ethical Hedonism
An emphasis on pleasure and
happiness/contentment that one can get
from doing an act.
• This element introduces the rejection of pain
• According to Bentham, “nature has placed
mankind under the governance of … pain and
pleasure.”
• For utilitarianism, right and wrong, are
dependent on the pleasure or pain that an act
will result to (pleasure=good; pain=bad).
• We are naturally inclined to pleasure.

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Goodness is equated with pleasure of
sensual nature.
The Principle of Utility

“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 results to 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.
 Bentham’s Hedonistic Calculus
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
• The more the pleasure, the better.
• One is morally bound to do an act
that offers a stronger degree of
happiness.
2. DURATION
• The longer the pleasure lasts, the
better.
• One is morally obliged to do the act
if it provides a longer experience of
pleasure.

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 Bentham’s Hedonistic Calculus

3. CERTAINTY
• The more certain the pleasure, the
better.
• One should pursue an action
where pleasure is expected.
4. PROPINQUITY
• The nearer or more frequent
pleasure occurs, the better.
• One should do an act which brings
about immediate pleasure.

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 Bentham’s Hedonistic Calculus

5. FECUNDITY 6. PURITY 7. EXTENT

• The greater the possibility
that pleasure will arise
from a preceding act, the
better.
• One is morally required to
do an act that would
ensure a series of
pleasure.
• The purer the pleasure,
the better.
• If pleasure only is only a
resultant of pain, then it is
not a wise idea to do the
action.
• Do an act which is not
tainted by pain.
• The greater number of
people to experience
pleasure, the better.
• One is morally
necessitated to do an
action which would
make everyone happy.
• Everyone’s happiness >
personal happiness

For Bentham, we will be calculating the

pleasure as a deduction to the amount of 8

pain inflicted to arrive at the balance.

Greatest Good for the Greatest Number
^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.
Quantity vs. Quality
⮚ “Of two pleasures, if there be one to which all or
almost all who have experience of both give a
decided preference, irrespective of any feeling of
moral obligation to prefer it, that is the more
desirable pleasure.(Mill, 2007, 7)

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 Act and Rule Utilitarianism
Moral action in both act and rule utilitarianism is an act which results to
maximum utility.

ACT UTILITARIANISM RULE UTILITARIANISM

• Requires that individuals must act
in order to realize pleasure.
• Relies on our common sense;
since sense observation can
calculate the utility of our actions.
• Simply sets a standard for morality
to achieve a pleasurable result.
• It provides guidelines for good
human behavior.
• The rules are designed in order to
arrive at a certain desired
consequence.

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Every action should be geared towards
something that could be beneficial.
Critical Assessment of Utilitarian Ethics
Strengths of Utilitarianism

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 Strengths of
Utilitarianism
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
view.

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 Strengths of
Utilitarianism
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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 Strengths of
Utilitarianism
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 equal
value with anyone else.

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Critical Assessment of Utilitarian Ethics
Weakness of Utilitarianism

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 Weakness of
Utilitarianism
1. The difficulty of knowing the exact consequence of our
action.
2. Is it justified to do an act because many would obtain
satisfaction from it?
3. It is impractical since we don’t have the time to calculate the
pleasure and pain in an act.

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 Weakness of
Utilitarianism
4. The principle of the greatest
good for the greatest number
does not give justice to the
right of the minority.
5. It ignores motive [simplistic
reductionism].
6. Rejects all moral duties.
7. Can easily lead to
subjectivism and chaos. 18
 Weakness of
Utilitarianism
8. What is pleasurable for one may not be pleasurable for
another.
9. It is a “heartless” ethical philosophy – no motive, no love.
10. “All of man’s actions are purposive” – is based on false
psychology, since many of our actions are based on
instinct.

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