AGENDA Think-Pair-Shares Utilitarianism Lecture Utilitarian Scenarios Exit Questions Upcoming work in Freshman Academy

THINK-PAIR-SHARE QUESTIONS For the following scenarios, discuss what is on the slide with a person next to you. Do you agree or disagree? There are only a couple of minutes for each slide; we will discuss all of them after we’ve rotated through.

Sometimes, you have to do crazy things that are morally wrong , in order to do what is right.

It is never right to steal.

If I can keep my family from going hungry by stealing some money, I’ll do it.

Sometimes, in order to get to where you need to get in life, you have to step over other people to get there.

It is never okay to lie.

The Most Good, for the Most People? Utilitarian Ethics The Most Good, for the Most People?

The statements on the think-pair share activity that we did were directly related to the idea of utilitarianism.

Utilitarianism, Defined Utilitarianism, or Utilitarian Ethics, is the belief that what is morally right is the course of action that does the most good for the most people.

Since the end result is what is important: Utilitarianism does not care if the good end result is obtained by lying, coercion, or manipulation, so long as the end result is good

Questions: Check For Understanding What is utilitarianism? What affect does lying, cheating, or coercion have on the end result in utilitarianism?

Origins of Utilitarianism The Utilitarian theory was popularized by Jeremy Bentham in late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Origins of Utilitarianism Bentham was a legal reformer, someone who wanted to change laws. Bentham wanted to create a system that would best decide what kind of laws to put in to place. He created a famous quote: "the greatest good for the greatest number."

Question: Check for Understanding Who was Jeremy Bentham, and when did he live? What was his contribution to utilitarianism? What famous quote was created by him?

Who Uses utilitarianism? Often times, it’s you! When people are asked to justify their actions, they often point to the good that will result from it.

Who Uses utilitarianism? (Among others) Business Analysts, Legislators, and Scientists use it too. When deciding on new business policies, laws, or a new medicine to test, the justification given is often that it will prove good for society.

Limits of Utilitarianism Just like Ethical Relativism and Divine Command, there are limits to utilitarianism. Some of these include: How can we know what is the highest good for everyone? What if people disagree about what is best for society? How can we judge the consequences of our actions?

Questions: Check for Understanding Who are some people that use utilitarianism daily? What are some problems with this theory?

GUIDED PRACTICE For the following situations (some of which we may have already done) we will work on either defending or opposing the viewpoint stated. Working in pairs, you will work on the worksheet given out, defending or opposing three viewpoints from the standpoint of utilitarianism. First, let’s practice a sample ourselves.

A runaway trolley car is hurtling down a track A runaway trolley car is hurtling down a track. In its path are five people who will definitely be killed unless you, a bystander, flip a switch which will divert it on to another track, where it will kill one person. You flip the switch.

Do the ends justify the means in this scenario Do the ends justify the means in this scenario? In at least three sentences, explain why or why not.    Does your answer accomplish the greatest good for the greatest number of people? Is there anything morally objectionable in your answer?

Exit Questions What is utilitarianism defined as? Is it possible to commit unethical acts within utilitarianism? Why or Why Not? Is this kind of thinking commonly used? By whom? Who was the major person who helped to popularize this theory?