Utilitarianism Learning outcome: To be able to explain the context in which Utilitarianism arose To explain key concepts of utility, pleasure, hedonism and happiness

Utilitarianism Utilitarianism is a Teleological theory, what does this mean? Discuss with a partner Teleological theories look at the consequences- the results of an action- to decide whether it is right or wrong they do not have concrete rules Consequentialist theory- is another name given to this type of theory

Jeremy Bentham 1748-1832 Born into a wealthy family Was a child prodigy and was found as a toddler sitting at his fathers desk reading a large volume of the history of England. Received his degree at 15 years old. Concerned with social conditions of his time and was a political philosopher and a political radical. Founded a movement called the Philosophical Radicals. Worked on legal reform. Wrote ‘The Principles of morals and legislation’ in 1789 in which he proposed his ethical theory of utilitarianism. His drive and belief in equality was the inspiration for the opening of UCL in London His preserved body is sill there in a wooden cabinet.

Background to his theory 18th Century England experiencing radical changes due to the industrial revolution Homelessness, poverty, overcrowding, child labour were some of the problems at the time Bentham's concern for the majority met the needs of the working classes, causing many social changes, prison reforms, abolition of slavery and factory acts of 1833 and 1847 which brought changes to workers rights, conditions of work etc He brought about change through a loving way but did not believe in religion, especially Evangelical Christianity. ‘

Utilitarianism You can divide Benthams theory into 3 parts: Motivation- His view on what drove human beings and what goodness and badness was about The principle of utility - (usefulness) which is his moral rule. The hedonic calculus - which is his system for measuring how good or bad a consequence is.

Jeremy Bentham – Act utilitarianism “Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure” J. Bentham What do you think Benthams motivating factors are for moral decision making?

Motivation All humans pursue pleasure and seek to avoid pain. This is a moral fact because pleasure and pain identify what is a good or a bad action For humans the sole good is pleasure and the sole evil is pain. For this reason Bentham’s Utilitarianism is called ‘Hedonic Utilitarianism’.

The principle of utility Teleological theories tend to rely on a principle of utility this measures how useful, or fit for purpose an action may be The principle of utility in utilitarianism is the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

Happiness or pleasure “Actions are right in proportion when they tend to promote happiness, wrong when they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.” Bentham said that an action is right if it promotes happiness or pleasure and avoids the opposite of this, pain and the privation of pleasure The greatest happiness for the greatest number

Evaluation so far Is Bentham right in saying that what motivates humans is the quest for happiness/pleasure? Do you think this is a good basis for judging moral value?

Lets try it a Doctor witnesses a car accident. In the car are three people. A pregnant woman The young woman’s husband The woman’s father. All have an equal chance of survival but he can only save two people in time. One person is bound to die. Who does he save and why?

Who does he save? The doctor if he was a utilitarian would save… The pregnant woman first – this is because she and the baby would have the happiness/pleasure of two people. The husband would be next because the happiness of a new family would outweigh the happiness of one man. The old man would be left because he has had his portion of happiness.

Hedonism The view that pleasure is the chief ‘good’. Utilitarianism is a hedonistic theory, which means it is committed to the view that pleasure or happiness can be equated with good An action is good if it creates the greatest happiness for the greatest number

Hedonic calculus The hedonic calculus is a quantitative assessment of a situation/action. It is therefore, concerned with the quantity of pleasure it produces. The greatest amount of pleasure for the greatest amount of people The quantity of that pleasure is assessed against the Hedonic Calculus. Quantitative is the opposite of qualitative which is concerned with quality rather than quantity.

Hedonic calculus In calculating the greatest happiness for the greatest number we must determining the quantity of happiness that might be produced by an action, Purity – how free from pain is it? Remoteness – how near is it? Richness – to what extent will it lead to other pleasures? Intensity – how powerful is it? Certainty – how likely it is to result in pleasure? Extent – how many people does it affect? Duration – how long will it last?

Have a go at applying the calculus A 58 year old woman has PSP, which means she is slowly loosing control over her body and is unable to move freely or even know that she needs to go to the toilet. She needs round the clock care and her family are struggling to provide it for her. She is considering going to Switzerland for an assisted suicide. Is this the best thing to do morally? A group of sadistic guards torture an innocent prisoner, should they have done this?

Homework What are the positives of Bentham's utilitarianism? What are the negatives? What is your view on his theory as a basis to moral decision making?