Utilitarianism

Introduction

Ethical theory that makes use of the principal utility; 'the greatest good/happiness for the greatest number'.
Teleological: concerned with ends & concequences
Hedonistic: states that if something brings you happiness= good
Relative: what's good depends on the situation
Democratic: majority taken into account

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Social context of post-industrialisation
Makes use of Hedonic calculus- 7 criteria which measure happiness in making a moral decision e.g. fecundity, intensity or certainty- a way of quantifying happiness
Purely relative: aka Act-U; weighs up indivdual action using the principal of utility
Hedonist approach, but designed to give power to majority e.g. working class maj.- to improve their position in society
Strenths: relative, democratic & empowers a suppressed maj.
Weaknesses: could justify the killing of an innocent man 'for the greatest happiness', hedonic calculus is impraticle, too relative- open to interpretation, do concequences always justify the means?,difficault to predict concequences & emotions aren't taken into account.

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An improved version of Act.-U. Mill- Bentham's approach lacked the recognition of the deeper levels of human experience.
Feelings other than happiness are needed for a good life e.g. honour & justice- good whether they bring happiness or not.
Quality of pleasure more important than quantity
Divided pleasures into higher/lowers one:
Higher: use of the higher mental faculties (intellectual) e.g. reading poetry or going to the theatre
Lower: Fulfil basic human desires & needs (physical) e.g. eating chocolate or procreating
Moral rules needed in order to establish social order & justice.
Deontological: concerned with the motive & duty
Rules formed via the principal of utility & interests of society
"It's better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied"

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Strenths:
Overcomes problem of minority being sacrificed for the majority
Mill's theory of justice- everyone is equal; oppses 'greatest happiness for greatest number'
Less relative & open to different interpretations

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Strong rule U: should never be disobeyed
Weak rule U: there may be situations where the better concequences might be achieved by disregarding the role, e.g. better to tell a lie
Mill wanted to create a society where individuality & talent could florish- aware that rule of majority could prevent that. Thus came up with 'harm principal': the only purpose for which power can be lightfully excersised is any membership of a civilised community against his will, is to prevent harm to others. By this he means the only time power can be used is for the benefit of others.

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Motive: as long as the motive was just, the action is good.-Sidgwick e.g. woman and bike scenario
Preference: the satisfaction of people's preferences rather than aiming to achieve the greatest balance of pleasure over pain- P. Singer.
Approach- "what's in my own interest?" / "what would I prefer in this situation?"
R.M. Hare- people are happy happy when they get what they prefere, what what that is might clash with the preference of others. - Need to stand into someone elses shoes & imagine what they'd prefer. We should treat everyone including oursleves with impartiality- equal.
P. Singer: impartial spectator with a broadly U. approach- we need to take into account all the people affected by our actions; these need to be outweighed & balanced.
We need choose an act which gives the best possible concequence for those affected; so killing a person wh prefers to live-wrong, albeit it wouldn't be for a person who prefers to die, e.g. suicidal.

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