Benefits
Aim: To look at the principles
supporting utilitarian ethics.
Consequences and Politics
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Utilitarianism stresses the importance of
consequences over motives and therefore exists
within the sphere of consequence ethics.
It divorces the moral or immoral nature of an
agent’s actions from the good or bad
consequences of their actions.
Good intentions cut no ice if the consequences are
bad.
Utilitarianism’s association with politics stems from
its claim that each individual is equal before the
law, and that the ethical nature of an action is
governed by its affect on the majority - a key tenet
of democratic rule.
Benefits of Classical (Act) Utilitarianism
It is fair, objective & Democratic
Appropriate for a secular and scientific
age
Common ground with Christian Ethics:
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Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to redeem humanity is
the self-sacrifice of the one for the needs of the many
The felicific calculus has been compared to the
Golden Rule “Love Your neighbour as Yourself”
Utilitarianism is suitable for
government
Benefits of Classical (Act) Utilitarianism
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Appeals to Human Nature because of
1.
A feeling of benevolence for human kind (Hume)
An altruistic desire for people’s pleasure and
happiness (Bentham & Mill)
The value of friendship, aesthetic appreciation
and people’s right to express their likes and
dislikes – Ideal & Preference Utilitarianism
(Moore & Singer)
2.
3.