Consider Ethics: Theory, Readings, and Contemporary Issues Third Edition Bruce N. Waller
Chapter 5 Utilitarian Ethics
Utilitarian Theory Making Utilitarian Calculations Calculating the right act is not always easy, because simple acts may have large and complicated consequences Taking the Mystery out of Ethics Utilitarians insist that deciding what is right is not mysterious. It is the straightforward task of measuring pleasure over pain.
Utilitarian Theory Misconceptions of Utilitarian Theory Does not recommend a policy of gross, egoistic, self-centered, short-sighted hedonism Maximizing pleasure but also minimizing suffering requires moderation The pains and pleasures of others count equally with my own Utilitarian ethics is a teleological theory. An act is judged good if it produces good consequences and if it has productive, worthwhile results.
Act- Versus Rule-Utilitarians Act-Utilitarians Claims that in determining what we should do, we must consider what specific acts would produce the best overall consequences Different circumstances call for differing calculations Rule-Utilitarians In order to determine what really maximizes pleasure and minimizes suffering, we must look more deeply at societal practices and institutions
Act- Versus Rule-Utilitarians The Rules of Practices Promise-keeping enables us to make plans and have some security and confidence in the world Calculation: First, calculate the overall pleasures and pains of the practice of promise-keeping (i.e. long-term societal benefit) If the overall societal balance is more pleasurable, then the practice should be adopted Does this weaken the utilitarian position by not analyzing each act?
Utilitarians and the Quality of Pleasures Bentham: All Pleasures Are Equal Jeremy Bentham, first developed utilitarian ethics Pleasure is pleasure no difference in quality Does not consider quality in the sense of: The negative effects of a pleasurable activity The longevity (or lack thereof) of a pleasurable activity Whether another activity might involve less suffering Bentham s theory was a response to the inequality of living conditions in turn of the century London.
Utilitarians and the Quality of Pleasures Mill and the Qualities of Pleasure What is higher-quality pleasure? John Stuart Mill, 2 nd generation utilitarian Some more base activities may cause more pleasure, but other activities can cause a higher-quality of pleasure Higher-quality pleasure always outweighs lower-quality pleasure It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.
Satisficing Consequentialism Utilitarianism is a demanding theory that requires us to always weigh our choices for maximum pleasure and minimum suffering. As a result, modifications have been suggested: Satisficing consequentialism: you are not always morally obligated to do whatever would have the best overall consequences. Instead, your more modest moral obligation is to perform an action that has good enough results. The act does not have to maximize beneficial results
Criticisms of Utilitarian Ethics Psychological Criticisms Utilitarianism is psychologically false Is maximizing pleasure and minimizing suffering always our primary goal? A person may do an act that does not seem pleasurable to us, but the person doing it must expect to find pleasure in it. Otherwise, why would they do it? Ex. Mountain climber hypothetical
Nozick s Challenge to Utilitarian Ethics Robert Nozick, developed a challenge to utilitarian ethics: Pleasure Machine Most people would not sacrifice their complicated, sometimes suffering, lives in exchange for a pleasuremaximizing fantasy Nozick contended that utilitarian ethics confuses the positive reinforcer with the behavior shaped by that reinforcer. If we didn t get pleasure from an activity, we probably would not do it. But we don t do an activity for the pleasure.
The Uses of Utilitarian Ethics Utilitarianism can be a blunt instrument, but it can also have a strong impact Peter Singer Selfish acts may win us pleasure, but not in comparison to the suffering that alternative choices could minimize in others Utilitarian Ethics and Public Policy Even with doubts about the theory, utilitarianism can be a general guide to what we should do. It can also help to guide social policy.
Opposition to Utilitarianism Dostoyevsky Utilitarianism turns ethics into a cheap and trivial bookkeeping system. It links ethics to base desires and dispenses with higher ethical absolutes. Ethical absolutists (rationalists and intuitionists) Moral objectivity based on contingent practical calculations cheapens ethics Ethics is not relative to a situation or contingent on consequences
Utilitarian Ethics Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) Set forth the basic principles of utilitarian ethics Worked for social reform in British society, especially legal, prison, and educational reform An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation