Utilitarianism (Edexcel A-Level Religious Studies): Flashcards
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Practise the cards
14 cards from this deck
Founder of Act utilitarianism
Founder of Act utilitarianism
Jeremy Bentham
Bentham's aim for society
Bentham's aim for society
Improve social conditions & reduce aristocratic power/privilege
The principle of utility definition
The principle of utility definition
An action is good if it leads to greatest happiness for greatest number
Type of ethical theory utilitarianism is
Type of ethical theory utilitarianism is
Consequentialist theory
Bentham's 'two sovereign masters'
Bentham's 'two sovereign masters'
Pain and pleasure
What does utility produce or prevent?
What does utility produce or prevent?
Produces benefit/advantage or prevents mischief/pain
Fraser's view on choosing painting over child
Fraser's view on choosing painting over child
Lacks sympathy, promotes immoral behaviour by devaluing compassion
MacAskill's view on saving painting
MacAskill's view on saving painting
Shows refined sympathy, recognises needs of many children
Challenge implementing utilitarianism
Challenge implementing utilitarianism
Impractical due to human emotions like empathy
Strength: Bentham bases theory on what?
Strength: Bentham bases theory on what?
Human nature, making it easy to apply
Weakness: what does Bentham wrongly associate?
Weakness: what does Bentham wrongly associate?
Associates good and moral with pleasure
Weakness: what acts could utility justify?
Weakness: what acts could utility justify?
Horrible acts of evil (e.g., gang rape) if justified by more pleasure
Weakness: moral guidance from following pleasure
Weakness: moral guidance from following pleasure
Provides little moral guidance or structure
Kant's criticism of consequentialism
Kant's criticism of consequentialism
We cannot predict consequences of our actions