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EthicsPHI 1600First Written Assignment.Read Chapter 5 and watch Week 3 Lecture. Choose ONE contemporary moral issue in our society and apply the ethical principle of Utilitarianism to approve this moral issue. You must pick a moral issue that you strongly support and apply the utilitarian claims to back up your arguments. The paper must be done in MLA format with a minimum of 500 words (quotes are not included in the word count).

*You must apply Bentham’s “Principle of Utility” and the Four major points of Utilitarianism (week 3 Lecture) for 50 points and apply Bentham’s Felicific Calculus for 50 points.
Watch Video Four major points of Utilitarianism. You must apply them in your 1st written assignment due on week 3.

Chapter Five (Utilitarianism and John Stuart Mill)
Weighing Consequences Utilitarian point of view – take into accountthe general happiness of everyone Maximize good consequences Utilitarian reasoning might run counter tointuitions about basic principles Should we use torture on terrorist suspectsif we think this might save many lives?

Historical Background  Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) Original utilitarians were democratic,progressive, empiricist, optimistic. Believed that when interests of variouspersons conflicted, best choice was thatthat promoted the interests of the greatestnumber.
The Principle of Utility (GreatestThe Principle of Utility (GreatestHappiness Principle)Happiness Principle)◦ Utilitarianism is a form ofconsequentialism – focuses onconsequences of actions◦ Mill’s principle of utility – the morally bestalternative is that which produces thegreatest net utility.◦ We ought to do that which produces thegreatest amount of happiness for thegreatest number of people
Pleasure and HappinessPleasure and Happiness Classical utilitarianism reduces all other goodsto some form of pleasure or happiness. Similar to hedonism or Epicureanism Mill: we should consider the range of types ofpleasure in our attempts to decide what thebest action is.
Calculating the Greatest Amount ofCalculating the Greatest Amount ofHappinessHappiness Bentham: The happiness or pleasure of allwho are affected by an action or practicethat is to be considered. Five elements to calculate the greatestamount of happiness◦ Pleasure minus pain◦ Intensity◦ Duration◦ Fruitfulness
Quantity vs. Quality of PleasureQuantity vs. Quality of Pleasure Bentham: Consider only the quantityof pleasure or happiness broughtabout by various acts. Mill: The quality of the pleasureshould also count. Mill: Intellectual pleasures are betterthan sensual ones.
Evaluating UtilitarianismEvaluating Utilitarianism Problems:◦ No one can consider all the variablesinvolved in happiness.◦ It is an affront to our personal integrity.◦ The “ends justify the means”: can causemore harm than good
The Trolley Problem Moral dilemma Research: Sometimes there are conflictsin how we actually react and how wethink we should react to morally fraughtsituations. Concern: Utilitarian calculation involves“coldness” that runs counter to empathyand other emotional responses.
Act and Rule Utilitarianism Rule utilitarianism – considers theconsequences of some practice or rule ofbehavior Act utilitarianism – focuses solely on theconsequences of specific individual acts Dispute regarding which is superior
Proof” of the Theory Mill’s proof of utilitarianism◦ Good is defined in terms of what peopledesire.◦ Happiness is the only thing desired for itself,so it is the only intrinsic good. Utilitarianism: highly influential moraltheory that influences wide variety ofpolicy assessment methods.
Mill: Utilitarianism◦ The definition of utilitarianism Actions are right as they promote happiness. Actions are wrong as they promote theopposite of happiness.◦ Measuring the quality of pleasure andpain The nobleness of character The ultimate end.
Mill: Utilitarianism (cont.) Reading: Utilitarianism◦ The proof of the principle◦ The link between happiness and virtue◦ There is nothing in reality that is desiredbut happiness.

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Chapter Five
Utilitarianism and John Stuart Mill
© 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights
Reserved.
Weighing Consequences
 Utilitarian point of view – take into account
the general happiness of everyone
 Maximize good consequences
 Utilitarian reasoning might run counter to
intuitions about basic principles
 Should we use torture on terrorist suspects
if we think this might save many lives?
© 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights
Reserved.
Historical Background
 Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)
 John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
 Original utilitarians were democratic,
progressive, empiricist, optimistic.
 Believed that when interests of various
persons conflicted, best choice was that
that promoted the interests of the greatest
number.
© 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights
Reserved.
The Principle of Utility (Greatest
Happiness Principle)
◦ Utilitarianism is a form of
consequentialism – focuses on
consequences of actions
◦ Mill’s principle of utility – the morally best
alternative is that which produces the
greatest net utility.
◦ We ought to do that which produces the
greatest amount of happiness for the
greatest number of people.
© 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights
Reserved.
Pleasure and Happiness
 Classical utilitarianism reduces all other goods
to some form of pleasure or happiness.
 Similar to hedonism or Epicureanism
 Mill: we should consider the range of types of
pleasure in our attempts to decide what the
best action is.
© 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights
Reserved.
Calculating the Greatest Amount of
Happiness
 Bentham: The happiness or pleasure of all
who are affected by an action or practice
that is to be considered.
 Five elements to calculate the greatest
amount of happiness
◦ Pleasure minus pain
◦ Intensity
◦ Duration
◦ Fruitfulness
◦ Likelihood
© 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights
Reserved.
Quantity vs. Quality of Pleasure
 Bentham: Consider only the quantity
of pleasure or happiness brought
about by various acts.
 Mill: The quality of the pleasure
should also count.
 Mill: Intellectual pleasures are better
than sensual ones.
© 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights
Reserved.
Evaluating Utilitarianism
 Problems:
◦ No one can consider all the variables
involved in happiness.
◦ It is an affront to our personal integrity.
◦ The “ends justify the means”: can cause
more harm than good
© 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights
Reserved.
The Trolley Problem
 Moral dilemma
 Research: Sometimes there are conflicts
in how we actually react and how we
think we should react to morally fraught
situations.
 Concern: Utilitarian calculation involves
“coldness” that runs counter to empathy
and other emotional responses.
© 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights
Reserved.
Act and Rule Utilitarianism
 Rule utilitarianism – considers the
consequences of some practice or rule of
behavior
 Act utilitarianism – focuses solely on the
consequences of specific individual acts
 Dispute regarding which is superior
© 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights
Reserved.
“Proof” of the Theory
 Mill’s proof of utilitarianism
◦ Good is defined in terms of what people
desire.
◦ Happiness is the only thing desired for itself,
so it is the only intrinsic good.
 Utilitarianism: highly influential moral
theory that influences wide variety of
policy assessment methods
© 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights
Reserved.
Mill: Utilitarianism
◦ The definition of utilitarianism
 Actions are right as they promote happiness.
 Actions are wrong as they promote the
opposite of happiness.
◦ Measuring the quality of pleasure and
pain
 The nobleness of character
 The ultimate end
© 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights
Reserved.
Mill: Utilitarianism (cont.)
 Reading: Utilitarianism
◦ The proof of the principle
◦ The link between happiness and virtue
◦ There is nothing in reality that is desired
but happiness.
© 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights
Reserved.

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