1. By: Tara, Aaron, Ashley, & Keshia

2. All Action should be directed toward achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people

3. What is the ultimate goal of human action? * Happiness * Greater good of humanity

4. Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

5. The most influential developers Developed to help legislators determine which laws were morally best. Ethical actions provide the greatest balance of good over evil

6. Criticisms of Utilitarianism

7. Utilitarianism does not take into account how benefits and burdens are distributed in a society

8. For Example…….. Does not take into account social classes What's fair for a wealthy person may not be fair for a poor person

9. Example One: Bridgett and the Car. Bridgett is a poor college student who has always wanted her own car. She works after school jobs, saves all her money, rarely goes out, until she has $7000. On her way to the used car dealership, she reads about an Tsunami in SE Asia that has left thousands dead, wounded and homeless.

10. If utilitarianism is true, then it would be morally wrong for Bridgett to buy a car rather than give the money to the relief effort. It is not morally wrong for Bridgett to buy a car rather than give the money to the relief effort. Therefore, utilitarianism is not true

11. Example Two: Simon’s mother is feeling really lonely and would like Simon to come and spend the day with her. Simon, an engineer, had planned on using the day to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. By volunteering, since he would be helping a whole family for the rest of their lives, rather than cheering up his mother for simply one day.

12.  If utilitarianism is true, then it would be morally wrong for Simon to visit his mother rather than volunteer.  It is not morally wrong for Simon to visit his mother rather than volunteer  Therefore, utilitarianism is not true.

14. War in Iraq

15. The success in Iraq will be determined by the utility of everyone involved.

16. As a utilitarian, how is it decided if the war is for the greater good?

17. Questions For Review

18. 1. What if pleasure for one person creates pain for another?

19. 2. As a utilitarian, how can happiness really be measured?

20. 3. Is it ok to be dishonest if its for the greater good?