Utilitarianism

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What type of theory is utilitarianism and why?
Utilitaraianism is a teleological theory because the goodness of an action is determined by its consequences.
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What is act utilitarianism and who is often associated with this theory?
Act utilitarianism is associated with Bentham. He maintained the principle of utility and believed humans were motivated by pleasure.
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How did Bentham measure what action would provide the most happiness?
He used the Hedonic Calculus.
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What factors does the hedonic calculus consider?
Purity, remoteness, intensity, certainty, extent, duration and fecundity.
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What is rule utilitarianism and who is often associated with it?
Mill is often associated with rule utilitarianism. He believed that following rules ultimately leads to the long term greatest good.
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What did Mill argue?
Mill argued that the well being of an individual is most important and this is gained through persuing individual goals whilst also protecting the common good.
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What's a famous quote said by Mill and what does it mean?
'It is better to be a human being dissatisified than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisified'. This means that the persuit of higher pleasures is more desirable.
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What is the harm principle?
It states that people can persue any ends they wish, as long as it does not hurt other people.
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What is preference utilitarianism and who is it often associated with?
Preference utilitarianism is often assocaied with Peter Singer. He argues that what is good is the preferences or best consequences of an action. This is what furthers the best interests of those affected.
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What is consequential thinking?
Thinking about the rightness or wrongess of an action, that takes only the consequences of an action into consideration.
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What is deontological thinking?
It is only concerned with the moral law or duty that makes a particular action right or wrong regardless of the consequences.
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What is teleological thinking?
It stresses that an action is right or wrong depending on its purpose/intended outcome.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is act utilitarianism and who is often associated with this theory?

Back

Act utilitarianism is associated with Bentham. He maintained the principle of utility and believed humans were motivated by pleasure.

Card 3

Front

How did Bentham measure what action would provide the most happiness?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What factors does the hedonic calculus consider?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is rule utilitarianism and who is often associated with it?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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