1. Utilitarianism Michael Lacewing enquiries@alevelphilosophy.co.uk

2. Hedonist act utilitarianism Act consequentialism: Actions are morally right or wrong depending on their consequences and nothing else. An act is right if it maximizes what is good. Value theory: The only thing that is good is happiness. Equality: Everyone’s happiness counts more than anyone else’s.

3. Implications An action is right if it maximizes happiness Actions are judged not by ‘type’ (e.g. lying) or motive but by consequences ‘Greatest’ is comparative – just creating some happiness isn’t enough The principle provides clear moral guidance

4. Bentham’s principle of utility The ‘principle of utility’ (aka the ‘greatest happiness principle’): –‘that principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever, according to the tendency which it appears to have to augment or diminish the happiness of the party whose interest is in question’. Jeremy Bentham

5. Utility, happiness, pleasure Utility = what is in your interests = happiness = pleasure and absence of pain Hedonism: pleasure (happiness) is the only good Felicific calculus: –If a pleasure is more intense, will last longer, is more certain to occur, will happen sooner rather than later, or will produce in turn many other pleasures and few pains, it counts for more –Add up total pleasures and subtract total pains

6. Some quick objections and replies from Mill We don’t need happiness –Reply: Noble people have sacrificed their happiness for the happiness of others Not only my happiness counts –Reply: That’s right! Utilitarianism doesn’t say an act is right if it makes you happy, but if it creates the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people John Stuart Mill

7. Quick objections and replies Utilitarianism conflicts with religious teaching –Reply: No, it is compatible. Because it doesn’t respect moral principles, utilitarianism will encourage people to behave immorally –Not necessarily. It condemns any action that promotes short-term gain over long-term happiness.

8. Objection Is happiness pleasure and the absence of pain? Can something be in my interest without my taking any pleasure in it? Is it morally equivalent to cause pleasure and to reduce pain? Or is it more important to reduce (or not cause) pain?