8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
1/23
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
2/23
Ethical philosophy differs from the
sciences because it is normative or
prescriptive, rather than descriptive.
In other words, ethics tell us how we
ought to act or what we should do,
while the sciences are more likely toobserve how things are in nature orsociety.
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
3/23
Areas of Emphasis in Making Moral
JudgmentsPurpose or
Motive
Act, Rule,
or Maxim
Results or
Consequences
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
4/23
Utilitarianism says that the esult or the
Consequence of an Act is the real
measure of whether it is good or bad.
This theory emphasizes Ends over
Means.
Theories, like this one, that emphasizethe results or consequences are called
teleological orconsequentialist.
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
5/23
JeremyBentham
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
6/23
Man is under two great masters, pain
and pleasure.
The great good that we should seek ishappiness. (a hedonistic perspective)
Those actions whose results increase
happiness or diminish pain are good.They have utility.
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
7/23
In determining the quantity of happiness
that might be produced by an action,
we evaluate the possible consequencesby applying several values:
Intensity, duration, certainty or
uncertainty, propinquity or remoteness,fecundity, purity, and extent.
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
8/23
Consequentialism
Hedonism
Maximalism
Universalism
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
9/23
Principle ofUtility
GreatestHappiness
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
10/23
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
11/23
If you can use eighty soldiers as a decoy
in war, and thereby attack an enemy
force and kill several hundred enemy
soldiers, that is a morally good choiceeven though the eighty might be lost.
If lying or stealing will actually bring about
more happiness and/or reduce pain, ActUtilitarianism says we should lie and steal
in those cases.
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
12/23
Benthams theory could mean that if 10
people would be happy watching a manbeing eaten by wild dogs, it would be a
morally good thing for the 10 men to kidnapsomeone (especially someone whose death
would not cause grief to many others) andthrow the man into a cage of wild, hungry
dogs.
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
13/23
Mill argues that we must consider the
quality of the happiness, not merely thequantity.
For example, some might find happiness
with a pitcher of beer and a pizza. Othersmay find happiness watching a fine
Shakespearean play.The quality ofhappiness is greater with the latter.
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
14/23
As between his own happiness and that
of others, utilitarianism requires him to be
as strictly impartial as a disinterested and
benevolent spectator. In the goldenrule of Jesus of Nazareth, we read the
complete spirit of the ethics of utility. To
do as you would be done by, and tolove your neighbor as yourself,constitute the ideal perfection of
utilitarian morality.
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
15/23
IfIam to bring the greatest happiness to thegreatest number, not putting my own
happiness above others, that may lead to a
dilemma. I live in a neighborhood where
83% of my neighbors use drugs. I couldmake them most happy by helping supply
them with cheap drugs, but I feel
uncomfortable doing that. What should a
utilitarian do?
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
16/23
Bernard Williams criticizes the implieddoctrine of negative responsibility inUtilitarianism. For example, a thug breaksinto my home and holds six people
hostage, telling us he will kill all of us.However, the thug says, if you will killtwo of your family, I will let you and theother three live.
With Utilitarianism, the good thing to do isto kill two members of my family.
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
17/23
Utilitarianism plays fast and loose with
Gods commandments. If lying, stealing,
or killing could lead to an increase ofhappiness for the greatest number, we
are told we should lie, steal or kill. Isnt
that a rejection of Gods commands?
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
18/23
What is the nature of God? Does God make arbitrary rules just to see
if we will obey?
Does God make rules that He knows willlead to our happiness?
If the latter statement is true, doesnt itmake sense God would want us to use
our God-given reason to look at thesituation?
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
19/23
If it be a true belief that God desires,
above all things, the happiness of his
creatures, and that this was his purpose intheir creation, utility is not a godless
doctrine, but more profoundly religious
than any other. . . . .whatever God has
though fit to reveal on the subject of moralsmust fulfill the requirements of utility in a
supreme degree.
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
20/23
If one must decide the probable outcome
of an act before knowing whether it is
good or bad, how can children learn toevaluate acts, since they know so little of
what consequences might arise from their
actions?
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
21/23
. . . Mankind must by this time have
acquired positive beliefs as to the effects of
some actions on their happiness; and the
beliefs which have thus come down are therules of morality for the multitude, and for the
philosopher until he has succeeded in finding
better. Mill concludes, however, that we
should always seek improvements.
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
22/23
Many philosophers hold that we havecertain rights, either from God, nature, orfrom a social contract
Can the idea of rights be made compatiblewith Utilitarianism?
If ignoring rights brings about morehappiness to the greatest number, should
we ignore so-called rights? Mills rule-based view in On Liberty; havinga right to liberty will bring the greatesthappiness
8/7/2019 Utilitarianism ppt
23/23
Baucus & Baucus (2000) Singled out 67 companies out of the Fortune
500 that had at least one illegal act ex:antitrust, product liabilities, discrimination
Performance of the convicted firms werecompared to unconvicted firms (five yearafter the fraud was committed)
Convicted firms experienced significantly
lower return on sales (three year lag) Multiple convictions are more disastrous
Unethical activities can affect long termperformance