Utilitarianism

1
Utilitarianism
2
English Empiricism

• Hume held that what is commonly taken as
  knowledge is really a set of reasonable beliefs
  that are well founded because they are based on
  experience.

3
Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)

• Bentham still attends board meetings!

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Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)

• It is the results that make something right or
  wrong. This ethical theory is the exact opposite
  of Kants categorical imperative.

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The Calculus of Felicity

• 1. Intensity How intense is the pleasure?

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The Calculus of Felicity

• 1. Intensity How intense is the pleasure?
• 2. Duration How long does the pleasure last?

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The Calculus of Felicity

• 1. Intensity How intense is the pleasure?
• 2. Duration How long does the pleasure last?
• 3. Certainty How sure is the pleasure?

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The Calculus of Felicity

• 1. Intensity How intense is the pleasure?
• 2. Duration How long does the pleasure last?
• 3. Certainty How sure is the pleasure?
• 4. Proximity How soon will the pleasure be
  experienced?

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The Calculus of Felicity

• 1. Intensity How intense is the pleasure?
• 2. Duration How long does the pleasure last?
• 3. Certainty How sure is the pleasure?
• 4. Proximity How soon will the pleasure be
  experienced?
• 5. Fecundity How many more pleasures will follow
  in the train of this pleasure?

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The Calculus of Felicity

• 1. Intensity How intense is the pleasure?
• 2. Duration How long does the pleasure last?
• 3. Certainty How sure is the pleasure?
• 4. Proximity How soon will the pleasure be
  experienced?
• 5. Fecundity How many more pleasures will follow
  in the train of this pleasure?
• 6. Purity How free from pain is this pleasure?

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The Calculus of Felicity

• 1. Intensity How intense is the pleasure?
• 2. Duration How long does the pleasure last?
• 3. Certainty How sure is the pleasure?
• 4. Proximity How soon will the pleasure be
  experienced?
• 5. Fecundity How many more pleasures will follow
  in the train of this pleasure?
• 6. Purity How free from pain is this pleasure?
• 7. Extent How many people will experience the
  pleasure?

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John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
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John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

• Mill claimed that he was only changing the
  quantitative measure of utilitarianism to a
  qualitative measure.

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John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

• Mills principle of liberty states the only
  purpose for which power can be rightfully
  exercised over any member of a civilized
  community, against his will, is to prevent harm
  to others.

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John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

• The uncultivated cannot be competent judges of
  cultivation.

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Summary

• Having some quantitative questions to ask makes
  sense, but we want also to find a way to bring
  qualitative values into our ethics as well.