Utilitarianism

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Utilitarianism
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Utilitarianism
Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
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Utilitarianism
The ultimate moral principle is the Principle of
Utility The right thing to do, in any
situation, is whatever would produce the best
overall outcome for all those who will be
affected by your action.
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Utilitarianism The greatest happiness for the
greatest number

1. The right thing to do is whatever would have the
   best overall consequences.
2. Which consequences matter? Whats important is
   human welfarewe want people to be as well-off as
   possible.
3. Each persons welfare is equally important.

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Utilitarianism
Some practical implications

1. Abolition of slavery equal rights for women
   abolition of child labor

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Utilitarianism
Some practical implications

1. Abolition of slavery equal rights for women and
   minorities abolition of child labor
2. Prison reform deterrence and rehabilitation, not
   vengeance

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Three ways of responding to crime

• Retribution
• Deterrence
• Rehabilitation

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Retribution
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Deterrence
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Deterrence
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Deterrence
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Deterrence
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Deterrence
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Deterrence
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Deterrence
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Deterrence
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Deterrence
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Deterrence
Attach penalties to certain sorts of actions.
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Deterrence
Why?
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Deterrence
So that people wont do them.
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Rehabilitation
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• Consequences of Rehabilitationism
• Changes in nomenclature
• Indeterminate sentences
• Parole system
• Different punishments for different offenders

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Utilitarianism
Some practical implications

1. Abolition of slavery equal rights for women and
   minorities abolition of child labor
2. Prison reform deterrence and rehabilitation, not
   vengeance
3. We have extensive charitable duties.

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Peter Singer is a utilitarian philosopher.
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Utilitarianism
Some practical implications

1. Abolition of slavery equal rights for women and
   minorities abolition of child labor
2. Prison reform deterrence and rehabilitation, not
   vengeance
3. We have extensive charitable duties.
4. Mercy-killing can sometimes be permissible.

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• The Utilitarian argument for mercy-killing
• Any action that prevents suffering is morally
  acceptable, provided that it does not cause
  greater suffering somewhere else.
• In some instances, providing a dying person with
  a quicker death, at his or her own request, will
  prevent considerable suffering, without causing
  anyone else to suffer.
• Therefore, in at least some instances,
  mercy-killing is morally acceptable.

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Utilitarianism
Some practical implications

1. Abolition of slavery equal rights for women and
   minorities abolition of child labor
2. Prison reform deterrence and rehabilitation, not
   vengeance
3. We have extensive charitable duties.
4. Mercy-killing can sometimes be permissible.
5. Animals count, too.

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Human Pain
Animal Pain
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The Utilitarian argument that we shouldnt eat
meat

• 1. We should not cause unnecessary pain and
  suffering.
• 2. In the modern meat-production business,
  animals are caused great suffering.
• 3. This isnt necessary, because we could nourish
  ourselves without doing it.
• 4. Therefore, we should stop doing it. We should
  be vegetarians instead.