BSF II - A

UTILITARIANISM,
JUSTICE, AND
FAIRNESS

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BSF II - A

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BSF II - A

UTILITARIANISM
01 Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that
focuses on the consequences of actions. It
aims to maximize overall happiness and
minimize suffering. The core principle is the
“greatest happiness for the greatest number.”

02 It was derived from the Latin word, Utilis or

Utility or the state of being useful, which
states that the best actions are those that
maximize utility of the greatest number of
people
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BSF II - A
ACT vs. RULE
UTILITARIANISM
Understanding Act Utilitarianism
1 Direct Application 2 Outcome-Focused 3 Situational Ethics
Act Utilitarianism applies It emphasizes predicting This approach rejects rigid
the principle of utility and evaluating the moral rules, favoring
directly to individual outcomes of each available flexible decision-making
actions in each situation. option. based on circumstances.
BSF II - A

Characteristics of Act Utilitarianism

Flexibility Consequence-Driven Pragmatic Approach
Rejects rigid rule- Focuses on the Uses moral rules
based moralities. likely effects of as guidelines.
Adapts to specific individual actions. Willing to break
situations for Prioritizes results them if doing so
optimal outcomes. over achieves greater
predetermined well-being.
rules.
Real-World Application: Act
Utilitarianism
Scenario
Euthanizing a sick, elderly woman to relieve financial burden on family and
healthcare system.

Considerations
Quality of life, family's emotional and financial stress, resource allocation in
healthcare.

Decision Process
Evaluate immediate and long-term consequences for all parties involved.

Ethical Dilemma
Balancing individual rights with overall societal benefit and resource management.
Introduction to Rule
Utilitarianism
1 Rule-Based Approach
Rule Utilitarianism establishes a moral code to
maximize overall utility.

2 Indirect Evaluation
It applies the principle of utility to rules of conduct
rather than individual actions.

3 Long-Term Focus
Emphasizes creating rules that produce the best
results over time.

4 EXAMPLE
Batman not killing the joker because killing is a sin
Comparing Act and Rule
Utilitarianism
Aspect Act Utilitarianism Rule
Utilitarianism

Focus Individual actions General rules

Decision-making Case-by-case Based on

established
rules
Flexibility High Lower

Long-term Lower Higher

consistency
Ethical Implications and
Criticism
Act Utilitarianism Criticism
Can lead to counterintuitive or seemingly immoral
decisions in extreme cases.

Rule Utilitarianism Criticism

May be too rigid, potentially leading to suboptimal
outcomes in specific situations.

Ongoing Debate
Philosophers continue to refine and challenge both
approaches in modern ethical discourse.
ORIGINS AND
NATURE OF
UTILITARIANISM
Key Thinker: Jeremy Bentham
Who Was He? Core Idea Legacy
Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832) Bentham's utilitarianism Bentham's ideas laid the
was a prominent English emphasizes "the greatest foundation for modern
philosopher and jurist. He is happiness for the greatest utilitarian thought. His
known as the father of number". His work significantly panopticon design remains
utilitarianism. influenced legal and social relevant to discussions of
reform. surveillance.
Bentham's Hedonic Calculus
1 Purity
How free from pain is it?
2 Remoteness
How near is it?

3 Richness
To what extent will it lead to other pleasures?

4 Intensity
How powerful is it?

4 Certainty
How likely is it to result in pleasure?
4 Extent
How many people does it affect?

4 Duration
How long will it last?
BSF II - A

Pain vs. Pleasure: An Example

Studying Video Games
Potential for long-term Immediate gratification and
intellectual satisfaction, but enjoyment, but potential for
short-term effort and guilt or wasted time.
potential boredom.

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Key Thinker: John Stuart Mill
Who Was He?
John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) was a British philosopher and
economist. A key figure in liberal thought.

Building on Bentham
Mill refined Bentham's utilitarianism. He introduced the
concept of higher and lower pleasures.

A Broader View
Mill championed individual liberty and social reform. His work
remains influential in political philosophy.
Mill's Qualitative Hedonism
Higher Pleasures Lower Pleasures
Intellectual and moral Bodily sensations, such as
pleasures, engaging eating or resting.
higher faculties.
Higher vs. Lower Pleasures: An Example
Reading Eating
Engages intellect and Satisfies a basic need. Offers
imagination. Can lead to immediate gratification, but
personal growth and lacks lasting intellectual
understanding. stimulation.
Utilitarianism and Justice
Mill believed justice aligns with
maximizing happiness. Just actions
promote overall well-being, respecting
individual rights.
 Rejects the purely quantitative
treatment of the principle utility
 Introduces the so-called ‘secondary
principle’ which set the tone for a
contemporary variant form of the
theory called utilitarianism
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS
1. The boat is about to shrink because of the ice berg and there are people riding
it and there is this Alex who is the one that can operate the boat. If he turns it
left, the boat will be able to rotate upwards, the passengers will be saved but he
will die. Is it ethical to say that he should kill himself for those passengers
because it produces greatest good to the majority? Explain

2. Our teacher arrives the first day of class and makes the following
announcement. "Let's not have class all semester! We will not inform the
authorities and we will keep it a secret. None of us will do any work. I will not
have to teach, and you do not have to study. I will qive you each an 'A, and you
can give me excellent teaching evaluations. All of us will be happy and the net
utility increased. Any questions? Class dismissed!" If you are utilitarian, would
you follow your teachers announcement? Explain.
JUSTICE AND
FAIRNESS:
UNDERSTANDING
RAWLS
Introduction to Rawls
John Bordley Rawls was an American philosopher renowned for his
contributions to political and moral philosophy, especially through his work
on theories of justice. He was born in 1921 into an upper-middle-class
Christian family and faced personal tragedies in his early life, including the
deaths of two of his brothers. His experiences during World War II, where
he witnessed the devastation of Hiroshima, deeply influenced his views on
life, justice, and fairness.

Justice Fairness
Giving people what they deserve. Social positions and control.
 Justice vs. Fairness
John Rawls, in his article "A theory of Justice," says that
Justice and fairness refers to different concepts. Justice is
about the state giving to people their due, while fairness is
about people's position in society being determined by
factors within their control.

1 Justice as Equality
Benefits the least fortunate.

2 Fairness as Compliance
Adhering to social rules.
The First Rawls Principle of
Social Justice: The Liberty
Principle
"Each person has the same and infeasible claim to a
fully adequate scheme of equal basic liberties, which
scheme is compatible with the same scheme of
liberties for all" (John Rawls and His Theory y of
Justice, n.d) as cited by De Guzman, J. (n. d.).
Rawls’ Liberty Principle

Equal Basic Liberties

Fundamental rights for all.

Uncompromisable Rights
Cannot be traded or denied.

Fully Adequate Scheme

Comprehensive set of rights.
The Second Rawls Principle of
Social Justice: Fair Equality of
Opportunity and The
Difference Principle

"Social and economic inequalities are to satisfy CWO

(Conditions of Welfare Optimization) conditions. First
they are to be attached to offices and positions open
to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity:
and second, they are to be the greatest benefit of the
least-advantaged members of society" (John Rawls and
His Theory of Justice, n.d) as cited by De Guzman, J. (n.
d.)
Fair Equality of Opportunity
- Positions and offices must be open to all under fair conditions.

Open Positions Benefit the Least Advantage

Accessible to all under fair conditions.
Uplifting those most in need.
The Difference Principle
- Any social and economic inequalities must be
arranged to benefit the least advantaged
members of society.

1 Maximin Rule
Improve the worst-off.

2 Inequality
Acceptable if it benefits the least advantaged.

3 Social Contract
Agreement for mutual benefit.
The Original Position
Veil of Ignorance
Not knowing personal details.

Impartiality
Ensuring fairness in decisions.

Hypothetical Scenario
Foundation of Rawls' theory.
Critiques of Justice as
Fairness
Religious Tolerance
Potential conflict with certain beliefs.

Wealth Redistribution
Concerns about unjust consequences.
DISTRIBUTIVE
JUSTICE
What is Distributive
Justice?
A concept that concerns the nature of a socially just
allocation of goods in a society that includes the
available quantities of goods, the process by which
goods are distributed and the subsequent allocation of
the goods to society members.

Fair Allocation Of goods and opportunities.

Marginalization Preventing exclusion of

groups.
Norms
The just distribution of resources is determined by the
distributive norm that is at play. Norm, as defined in
the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, as a principle of right
action binding upon the members of a group and
serving to guide, control, or regulate proper and
acceptable behavior, and there are five common types
of distributive norms according to Forsyth (2006):
Equity, Equality, Power, Need, Responsibility.
Distributive Norms

Equality Equity Need

Refers to the notion that all group The notion that a group member's input When the goods are distributed to the
members should be given an equal should affect its outcome, or a member's members of a group who needs it the
share of the rewards and costs, outcome should be based on its input. most.
regardless of their inputs (Forsyth, An individual should receive
2006). correspondingly with what he/she has
given.
Distributive Norms

Power Responsibility
A norm at play when the authority is When the abundant members of the
receiving more compared to the group shares their resources.
members of the group.
Egalitarian
Egalitarian Is a trend of thought in political philosophy.
An Egalitarian favors equality of some sort. People
should get the same, or be treated the same, or be
treated as equals, in some respect. (Anderson,
Richard. 2013).
State and
Citizens’
Responsibility:
TAXATION and
INCLUSIVE
GROWTH
Taxation: A Key Concept
Definition Importance Impact

Taxation is the government's As Aguolu (2004) states, Effective taxation systems

power to impose financial taxation is the government's enable governments to fund
obligations on citizens and primary revenue source. It essential services and
entities. It's a crucial tool for ensures a steady income for implement policies. They
revenue generation. public expenditure. directly influence a nation's
economic stability and growth.
Purpose of Taxation
Essential Services
Taxes fund crucial public services like healthcare, education, and
infrastructure. They ensure basic needs are met for all citizens.

Social Welfare
Tax revenue supports social programs that protect vulnerable populations.
These initiatives promote equality and social cohesion.

Economic Stability
Taxation helps regulate the economy. It can stimulate growth or control
inflation through fiscal policies.

National Security
Tax funds are crucial for maintaining defense and security forces. They
ensure the nation's sovereignty and citizens' safety.
Inclusive Growth: Definition
and Importance
1 Definition
Inclusive Growth is an economic growth that created
opportunity for all segments of the population and
distributes the dividends of increased prosperity both in
monetary and non-monetary terms, fairly across society
(Inclusive Growth, n.d.).
2 Fair Distribution
Prosperity is distributed equitably across society. This
reduces income disparities and promotes social stability.

3 Inequality Reduction
A focus on reducing the gap between rich and poor. This
approach leads to a more cohesive and harmonious
society.
Taxation's Role in Inclusive
Growth
Revenue Generation
Taxes provide the necessary funds for inclusive growth
initiatives. They enable governments to invest in social
and economic programs.

Redistribution
Progressive tax systems help redistribute wealth. They
ensure that high-income earners contribute more to public
coffers.

Social Investment
Tax revenue funds social welfare programs. These
initiatives provide benefits to disadvantaged groups,
promoting equal opportunities.
Conclusion: Taxation and Inclusive
Growth Synergy

Effective Taxation
A fair and efficient tax system is crucial for generating necessary revenue.
It ensures sustainable funding for inclusive growth initiatives.

Inclusive Policies
Policies promoting inclusive growth create opportunities for all. They lead
to a more equitable distribution of economic benefits.

Societal Balance
The synergy between taxation and inclusive growth fosters social cohesion.
It creates a more stable and prosperous society for all citizens.
THANK YOU
QUIZ TIME!
TEST I: MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is the primary principle behind Utilitarianism?

A. Maximizing personal wealth

B. Maximizing happiness for the greatest number of people
C. Minimizing pain for the majority
D. Balancing happiness and equality for all

2. Which philosopher is most closely associated with the theory of Utilitarianism?

A. Immanuel Kant
B. John Locke
C. Jeremy Bentham
D. Aristotle
3. According to utilitarianism, an action is morally right if it:

A. Aligns with religious teachings

B. Produces the greatest amount of happiness
C. Respects the rights of individuals
D. Follows universal ethical laws

4. John Stuart Mill’s version of Utilitarianism focuses on:

A. Quantity of happiness
B. Quality of happiness
C. Legal justice
D. Wealth distribution
5. A type of Utilitarianism which focuses on the likely effects of individual actions
and prioritizes results over predetermined rules.

A. Mill’s Utilitarianism
B. Hedonic Utilitarianism
C. Act Utilitarianism
D. Rule Utilitarianism

6. What is a key component of justice in the context of distributive justice?

A. Equal outcomes for all

B. Fair distribution of resources
C. Equal wealth for the majority
D. Maximum happiness for the wealthy
7. In discussions of justice, fairness often involves the concept of:

A. Wealth redistribution
B. Fair procedures and equal opportunities
C. Economic equality
D. Complete freedom

8. Rawls' Theory of Justice emphasizes which principle?

A. The greatest happiness principle

B. The veil of ignorance
C. Maximizing wealth for the majority
D. Promoting religious ethics in justice
9. What is the veil of ignorance according to John Rawls?

A. A concept to hide one’s wealth

B. A way to disregard one's personal biases when creating fair rules
C. A way to prevent economic inequality
D. A policy on taxation

10. A teacher must decide between focusing on a few students who are struggling or
improving the learning experience for the entire class. What action aligns with
utilitarianism?

A. Help only the struggling students to ensure they succeed.

B. Prioritize the entire class for the most widespread benefit.
C. Focus only on the top-performing students.
D. Ignore individual differences to save time.
11. An employee has the chance to lie about their work hours, which will only benefit them and
not affect anyone else. According to Rule Utilitarianism, should they lie?

A. Yes, if no one finds out.

B. No, only if their supervisor is watching.
C. Yes, if it is for the greater good.
D. No, since following a policy against dishonesty generally benefits everyone in the workplace.

12. A company policy mandates equal pay for all workers, regardless of individual contributions,
as it promotes fairness and workplace morale. Which type of utilitarianism is at play?

A. Act Utilitarianism
B. Hedonistic Utilitarianism
C. Rule Utilitarianism
D. Bentham’s Utilitarianism
13. A firefighter rescues two people from a burning building, but has to leave a third
because they don’t have enough time. The believe in the rule that saving lives is the best
outcome possible in that moment. This is an example of?

A. Act Utilitarianism
B. Hedonistic Utilitarianism
C. Rule Utilitarianism
D. Mill’s Utilitarianism

14. Which ethical approach suggests that actions should be evaluated based on their
overall consequences?

A. Justice
B. Egalitarianism
C. Norm
D. None of the above
15. A company decides to give out bonuses at the end of the year. The employees
have varying levels of performance and contribution throughout the year.
According to the distributive justice norm of Equity, how should the bonuses be
distributed?

A. All employees receive equal bonuses, regardless of performance or

contribution.
B. Employees who performed better or contributed more receive larger bonuses.
C. The CEO and management receive most of the bonuses since they have most of
the power.
D. The employees who need financial support receive more bonuses, regardless of
their performance.
TEST II: IDENTIFICATION
16. The philosopher who formulated the concept of 'justice as fairness.’

17. Refers to the notion that all group members should be given an equal share of
the rewards and costs, regardless of their inputs.

18. The philosopher who argued for utilitarianism by emphasizing quality over
quantity of happiness.

19. A principle of right action binding upon the members of a group and serving to
guide, control, or regulate proper and acceptable behavior

20. The government's method of collecting revenue from citizens and businesses
ANSWERS
1. What is the primary principle behind Utilitarianism?

A. Maximizing personal wealth

B. Maximizing happiness for the greatest number of people
C. Minimizing pain for the majority
D. Balancing happiness and equality for all

2. Which philosopher is most closely associated with the theory of Utilitarianism?

A. Immanuel Kant
B. John Locke
C. Jeremy Bentham
D. Aristotle
3. According to utilitarianism, an action is morally right if it:

A. Aligns with religious teachings

B. Produces the greatest amount of happiness
C. Respects the rights of individuals
D. Follows universal ethical laws

4. John Stuart Mill’s version of Utilitarianism focuses on:

A. Quantity of happiness
B. Quality of happiness
C. Legal justice
D. Wealth distribution
5. A type of Utilitarianism which focuses on the likely effects of individual actions
and prioritizes results over predetermined rules.

A. Mill’s Utilitarianism
B. Hedonic Utilitarianism
C. Act Utilitarianism
D. Rule Utilitarianism

6. What is a key component of justice in the context of distributive justice?

A. Equal outcomes for all

B. Fair distribution of resources
C. Equal wealth for the majority
D. Maximum happiness for the wealthy
7. In discussions of justice, fairness often involves the concept of:

A. Wealth redistribution
B. Fair procedures and equal opportunities
C. Economic equality
D. Complete freedom

8. Rawls' Theory of Justice emphasizes which principle?

A. The greatest happiness principle

B. The veil of ignorance
C. Maximizing wealth for the majority
D. Promoting religious ethics in justice
9. What is the veil of ignorance according to John Rawls?

A. A concept to hide one’s wealth

B. A way to disregard one's personal biases when creating fair rules
C. A way to prevent economic inequality
D. A policy on taxation

10. A teacher must decide between focusing on a few students who are struggling or
improving the learning experience for the entire class. What action aligns with
utilitarianism?

A. Help only the struggling students to ensure they succeed.

B. Prioritize the entire class for the most widespread benefit.
C. Focus only on the top-performing students.
D. Ignore individual differences to save time.
11. An employee has the chance to lie about their work hours, which will only benefit them and
not affect anyone else. According to Rule Utilitarianism, should they lie?

A. Yes, if it benefits their fellow employees.

B. No, only if their supervisor is watching.
C. Yes, if it is for the greater good.
D. No, since following a policy against dishonesty generally benefits everyone in the
workplace.

12. A company policy mandates equal pay for all workers, regardless of individual contributions,
as it promotes fairness and workplace morale. Which type of utilitarianism is at play?

A. Act Utilitarianism
B. Hedonistic Utilitarianism
C. Rule Utilitarianism
D. Bentham’s Utilitarianism
13. A firefighter rescues two people from a burning building, but has to leave a third
because they don’t have enough time. The believe in the rule that saving lives is the best
outcome possible in that moment. This is an example of?

A. Act Utilitarianism
B. Hedonistic Utilitarianism
C. Rule Utilitarianism
D. Mill’s Utilitarianism

14. Which ethical approach suggests that actions should be evaluated based on their
overall consequences?

A. Justice
B. Egalitarianism
C. Norm
D. None of the above
15. A company decides to give out bonuses at the end of the year. The employees
have varying levels of performance and contribution throughout the year.
According to the distributive justice norm of Equity, how should the bonuses be
distributed?

A. All employees receive equal bonuses, regardless of performance or

contribution.
B. Employees who performed better or contributed more receive larger bonuses.
C. The CEO and management receive most of the bonuses since they have most of
the power.
D. The employees who need financial support receive more bonuses, regardless of
their performance.
Multiple Choice Answers
1. B. Maximizing happiness for the greatest number of people
2. C. Jeremy Bentham
3. B. Produces the greatest amount of happiness
4. B. Quality of happiness
5. C. Act Utilitarianism
6. B. Fair distribution of resources
7. B. Fair procedures and equal opportunities
8. B. The veil of ignorance
9. B. A way to disregard one's personal biases when creating fair rules
10. B. Prioritize the entire class for the most widespread benefit.
11. D. No, since following a policy against dishonesty generally benefits everyone in the workplace.
12. C. Rule Utilitarianism
13. A. Act Utilitarianism
14. D. None of the above (Utilitarianism)
15. B. Employees who performed better or contributed more receive larger bonuses.
________________________________________
Identification Answers
16. John Rawls
17. Equality
18. John Stuart Mill
19. Norms
20. Taxation