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Ge 006 - Ethics - Chapter - 2

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that posits actions are morally right if they promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people, emphasizing the balance of pleasure over pain. It has two branches: Act Utilitarianism, which focuses on individual actions, and Rule Utilitarianism, which establishes rules based on general happiness. Key thinkers include Jeremy Bentham, who equated happiness with pleasure, and John Stuart Mill, who emphasized justice and moral rights as essential for societal happiness.

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38 views3 pages

Ge 006 - Ethics - Chapter - 2

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that posits actions are morally right if they promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people, emphasizing the balance of pleasure over pain. It has two branches: Act Utilitarianism, which focuses on individual actions, and Rule Utilitarianism, which establishes rules based on general happiness. Key thinkers include Jeremy Bentham, who equated happiness with pleasure, and John Stuart Mill, who emphasized justice and moral rights as essential for societal happiness.

Uploaded by

Krystel karen Climacosa
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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GE 006 – ETHICS

CHAPTER 2: UTILITARIANISM
 THE PRINCIPLE OF UTILITY
 PRINCIPLE OF THE GREATEST NUMBER
 JUSTICE AND MORAL RIGHT

UTILITARIANISM

- Argues that the goodness of pleasure and the determination of the


behavior based on the usefulness of the action's consequences.
- It claims that “one’s action and behavior are good in as much as they are
directed toward the experience of the greatest pleasure over pain for the
greatest number of persons”.
- Holds that what’s ethical (or moral) is whatever maximizes total happiness
while minimizing the total pain.
- SECURE THE GREATEST GOOD FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER.

LIMITATION OF UTILITARIANISM

- Assume a hospital has four people who lives depend upon receiving organ
transplant. A healthy person’s organs could be harvested to save four lives at
the expenses of one life.

TYPES OF UTILITARIANISM

There are basically two branches of utilitarianism. They both agree that the goal
of ethics is to maximize happiness. But they disagree on where that decision
should be applied;

1. Act Utilitarianism – argues that we should always choose our actions based
on what will cause the greatest amount of happiness.

2. Rule Utilitarianism – argues that we should figure out what sort of behavior
usually causes happiness, and turn it into a set of rules.
TWO FORMST UTILITARIANISM THINKERS

JEREMY BENTHAM (1748 – 1832)

- Born on February 15, 1748. He was the teacher of James Mill, FATHER of
John Stuart Mill. He first wrote about the greatest happiness principle of
ethics.

JOHN STUART MILL (1806 – 1873)

- Born on May 20, 1806. He was the SON of James Stuart Mill, a student,
friend and disciple of Jeremy Bentham. He was known for his long essay
entitled “UTILITARIANISM” in 1861.

 Principle of Utility

 Jeremy Bentham begins by arguing that our actions are governed by two
“sovereign masters” - PLEASURE and PAIN – which are given to us by
nature to help us determine what is good or bad and what ought to be done
and not.

- We do what is pleasurable and we do not do what is painful.


- It is not enough to experience pleasure, but also inquire whether we
do make us happier.

 Having identified the tendency for pleasure and the avoidance of pain as the
principle of utility, Bentham equates happiness with pleasure.
 Mill supports Bentham principle of utility. He reiterates moral good as
happiness and consequently, happiness as pleasure.
 “Intended Pleasure” “Privation of Pleasure”

 Principle of Greatest number

 States that equating happiness with pleasure doesn't aim to describe the
utilitarianism moral agent alone and independently from others.
 Utilitarianism cannot lead to a selfish act. It is neither about our pleasure
nor happiness alone. It cannot be all about us (ourselves).
- It is necessary for us to consider everyone’s happiness, including our
own as a standard by which we evaluate what is moral.

 Justice and Moral Rights

JUSTICE – Mill understand justice as a respect for directed toward society's pursuit for
the greatest happiness of the greatest number.

RIGHTS – Are a valid claim on society and are justified by utility.

Examples;

Right to due process

Right to free speech or religion

- Rights serve general happiness, and are justified because they contribute to the
general good. This means that society is made happier if its citizens are able to
live their lives knowing that their interests are protected and that society, as a
whole, defends it.
- A right justifiable on utilitarian principles in as much as they produce an overall
happiness that is greater than the unhappiness resulting from their
implementation.

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