Utilitarianism – Bentham’s Classic Utilitarianism By the end of this lesson you will have: Re-capped what you know about Situation Ethics Learnt about Act Utilitarianism Considered the similarities between Act Utilitarianism and other ethical approaches

Spec Check AO1 AO2 Bentham’s theory of ‘utility’ or ‘usefulness’; ultimate aim is to pursue pleasure and avoid pain; principle of utility (the greatest happiness for the greatest number). The hedonic calculus as a means of measuring pleasure in each unique moral situation; by considering seven factors: intensity, duration, certainty, remoteness, fecundity, purity and extent. Act Utilitarianism as a form of moral relativism, a consequentialist and teleological theory * The degree to which pleasure can be seen as an intrinsic good The degree to which Act Utilitarianism works in contemporary society

Re-Cap of other Teleological Theories Speak It out: Teleology Relative 4 working principles 6 Fundamentalist principles Polyamory

Utilitarianism Utilitarianism is another teleological, consequentialist and relative ethical theory It is different to situation ethics in that it is a secular theory (not religious) However , their similarities as consequentialist theories have led some to refer to Situation Ethics as ‘Christian Utilitarianism’

Jeremy Bentham British 18th Century Scholar Wrote Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation Devised Utilitarianism as a teleological and Consequentialist theory Suggested that there were NO moral absolutes and that ALL actions can only ever be of instrumental value Saw ‘good’ as defined as pleasure or happiness – the greatest good for the greatest number

BENTHAM’S ACTUAL MUMMIFIED HEAD Jeremy Bentham Gory Fact: Bentham’s body was preserved and his head was mummified by his academic disciple, Thomas Smith. The body remains in UCL where it is sometimes wheeled out at College council meetings and dinners BENTHAM’S ACTUAL MUMMIFIED HEAD

Theory of ‘Utility’ Utility = usefulness Bentham suggested that all ethical actions should be evaluated on the grounds of the usefulness of that action TASK: Try and think of examples where the following actions may actually be useful Stealing bread Shooting someone in the head Sleeping with someone behind your partner’s back Taking drugs Now try and think of examples when these actions are not useful at all!

Act Utilitarianism TASK: Individually read ‘Jeremy Bentham’s Approach: Act Utilitarianism’ in your workbook Now, in your pairs, ask each other the questions about Act Utilitarianism Keep asking each other until you both know the answers to all 10 questions thoroughly TASK: Complete the ‘hedonic calculus’ activity sheet in your booklet

Act Utilitarianism 1. What is meant by ‘hedonism’? 2. Under which two sovereign masters does Bentham say nature has placed us under? 3. What equation does Bentham use for happiness? 4. What is the hedonic calculus? 5. Does Bentham believe we should treat family and friends well first and foremost in ethical decision making? 6. What example does Bentham use to prove that people’s pleasure needs to be regarded equally? 7. What does it mean to say Bentham’s utilitarianism judges actions as a means to an end? 8. Why is Bentham’s utilitarianism called act utilitarianism? 9. What are the 7 elements of pleasure/happiness that Bentham tells us we should measure? 10. What can you do if you don’t have time to work out the consequences of a situation?

Act Utilitarianism Q. What is meant by ‘hedonism’? A. An ethical system which pursues physical pleasure and avoids physical pain

Act Utilitarianism Q. Under which two sovereign masters does Bentham say nature has placed us under? A. Pleasure and pain

Act Utilitarianism Q. What equation does Bentham use for happiness? A. Happiness = pleasure minus pain

Act Utilitarianism Q. What is the hedonic calculus? A. Where you add up the amounts of pleasure and pain for each possible ethical act to determine what is the right thing to do

Act Utilitarianism Q. Does Bentham believe we should treat family and friends well first and foremost in ethical decision making? A. No, Bentham believed that all people needed to be treated equally

Act Utilitarianism Q. What example does Bentham use to prove that people’s pleasure needs to be regarded equally? A. The flower seller drinking gin drives the same pleasure as the upper class couple going to the opera

Act Utilitarianism Q. What does it mean to say Bentham’s utilitarianism judges actions as a means to an end? A. That what is right is based on what brings the most amount of happiness to the most amount of people in the end

Act Utilitarianism Q. Why is Bentham’s utilitarianism called act utilitarianism? A. Because it looks at each individual act and how much happiness it brings about as opposed to following any rules

Act Utilitarianism Q. What are the 7 elements of pleasure/happiness that Bentham tells us we should measure? A. Intensity, Duration, Certainty, Extent, Remoteness, Richness, Purity

Act Utilitarianism Q. What can you do if you don’t have time to work out the consequences of a situation? A. Draw upon your past experience

Act Utilitarianism – Spec Check Choose a part of the spec to write a paragraph on: Act Utilitarianism as a form of moral relativism, a consequentialist and teleological theory Bentham’s theory of ‘utility’ or ‘usefulness’; ultimate aim is to pursue pleasure and avoid pain; Principle of utility (the greatest happiness for the greatest number). The hedonic calculus as a means of measuring pleasure in each unique moral situation; by considering seven factors: intensity, duration, certainty, remoteness, fecundity, purity and extent.

AO2 - Evaluation ‘Pleasure should be regarded as the only intrinsic good’. Discuss TASK: On your post it note, write 2 ways in which you think pleasure should be regarded as an intrinsic good and place it on the board Choose someone else’s post it note to evaluate. Write your evaluation of their point on the post it note Complete the same for an argument against

AO2 - Evaluation ‘Pleasure should be regarded as the only intrinsic good’. Discuss Pleasure SHOULD be regarded as the only intrinsic good Pleasure SHOULDN’T be regarded as the only intrinsic good Pleasure drives most human actions Pleasure is rarely seen in negative terms Pleasure is often linked with other positive virtues such as love and compassion Pleasure is often practical Other goods drive human actions too Pleasure is too subjective – for a sado-masochist pleasure = pain Pleasure can’t be the only intrinsic good –others clearly link with it and exist Other scholars would argue that other things are the only intrinsic goods

AO2 - Evaluation ‘Act Utilitarianism does work in today’s society’. Discuss TASK: In pairs, complete an AO2 planning sheets for this question and then feedback to the class Utilitarianism DOES work in today’s society Utilitarianism DOESN’T work in today’s society

Plenary – Act Utilitarianism Plan a cartoon strip to depict an ethical dilemma in which the key characters follow act utilitarianism FIRST: Think of a dilemma SECOND: Think of your characters THIRD: Think about how you would apply Utilitarianism to this dilemma FOURTH: Get drawing