Utilitarianism

Overview

Part One.

Fundamental Tenets
 of
Utilitarianism

Basic Insights of Utilitarianism

The Purpose of Morality

Fundamental Imperative

The Emphasis on the Overall Good

The Dream of Utilitarianism:
Bringing Scientific Certainty to Ethics

Part Two.

Standards of Utility:
A History of
Utilitarianism

Intrinsic Value

Jeremy Bentham
1748-1832

Pleasure

John Stuart Mill
1806-1873

Happiness

Ideal Values

Preferences

Part Three.

The Utilitarian Calculus

The Utilitarian Calculus

What do we calculate?

Example:
Debating the school lunch program

How much can we quantify?

“…the problems of three little people don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.”

Part Four.

Act and Rule Utilitarianism

Act and Rule Utilitarianism

An Example

The Continuing Dispute

Part Five.

Criticisms
of Utilitarianism

1. Responsibility

2. Integrity

3. Intentions

4. Moral Luck

5. Who does the calculating?

6. Who is included?

Concluding Assessment