Overview of Utilitarianism: In your own words, explain what you understand about utilitarianisn. If?someone asked you what

Deontology—theory of moral duty  Absolutist/hard universalist theory Normative theory

 Principle of doing the right thing; having

good will What we ought to do usually conflicts with

what we are inclined to do Duty v. inclination

Test for doing what is morally right

Solely focused on intentions

Always act so that your decision could become universal law  1. what do I want to do?

 2. do I want this decision to be a rule/universal law?

Golden Rule

Sees others as important

 If we all use the same rules of logic and all react rationally, we will come to the same moral and intellectual conclusions.

 1. Consequences count By asking about universal rules, Kant is

talking about consequences

2. Does not resolve conflict between duties  just between duty and inclination

3. Loopholes  creates scenarios that are too specific

4. Who is rational? Kant assumes all have the same goals

and that our brains work essentially the same way

5. Does not allow for exceptions Tell the truth even if the consequences

are horrible

 Rational beings are ends in themselves

 A person is not a means to an end

 A person has intrinsic value

 Any rational being deserves respect

Things  Animals can be used as tools or as a means

to an end

The Kingdom of Ends  A world in which people do the right thing

Moral autonomy comes from our own reason

 Consequentialist theory  Focuses on consequences of actions

 Hard Universalist/Absolutist theory

 The theory that one ought to maximize happiness and minimize the unhappiness of as many people as possible

 Epicurus (341-270 B.C.E.) Greek philosopher who advocated a life free of pain

 Coined the term utilitarianism

 Believed that it is good for an action to have a utility (to make people happy)

 Developed Hume’s theory of utility into a moral theory to reform the British legal system

 Believed that all humans are hedonists

 Developed Hedonistic Calculus  Calculates probable consequences of actions

 Produces a rational solution to any problem

 Rediscovered the paradox of hedonism  The more you search for pleasure, the more it will elude

you

 Refined Bentham’s theory  Higher and lower pleasures

 Harm Principle  The only purpose of interfering with the life of someone

is to prevent harm to others

Act Utilitarianism

 Always do whatever act that will create the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people

 Only focuses on consequences of present decision

 Always do whatever type of act (based on a rule) that will create the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people

 Focuses on consequences of others applying that same rule

Rule Utilitarianism