1. Consequentialist Ethical Theories Egoism: the good is whatever promotes my long-term interests Hedonism: we should pursue pleasures that are not mixed with pain (prudence, justice, knowledge), satisfy natural desires (food, sleep), & avoid vain desires (fame, fashion) Objection: how can egoism help us resolve ethical conflicts? Epicurus 341-270 BCE

2. Utilitarianism: we ought to promote the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number Bentham: the hedonic calculus is based on the intensity, duration, certainty, immediacy, fecundity, purity, & number of people affected J. S. Mill: the quality of pleasures needs to be considered, determined by competent judges The morality of an act is different from the person or character responsible for the act J. Bentham (1748-1843) J. S. Mill (1808-73)

3. Variations of Utilitarianism Act utilitarianism: we are obligated to do the specific act that produces the greatest amount of happiness (regardless of rules or justice) Objections: consequence calculation is difficult; besides, this implies that the end justifies the means Rule utilitarianism: we should follow moral rules that, when acted upon, generally produce the greatest amount of happiness Objection: what about when rules conflict?