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Utilitarianism Key Concepts
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Utilitarianism Key Concepts
Utilitarianism Key Concepts
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1
Question
What is utilitarianism's core claim about morality and consequences?
Answer
Morality based on consequences produced by actions.
2
Question
What does utilitarianism mean by welfare or well-being?
Answer
Morally relevant welfare is the affected persons' well-being.
3
Question
What kind of aggregation does utilitarianism use to judge actions?
Answer
Aggregation of total welfare across all affected persons.
4
Question
What is the utilitarian principle of utility in one sentence?
Answer
Maximize happiness for the greatest number.
5
Question
How do Bentham and Mill differ in utilitarianism?
Answer
Bentham: quantitative pleasures; Mill: qualitative differences.
6
Question
Who are the two main historical proponents of utilitarianism mentioned?
Answer
Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.
7
Question
What is meant by hedonistic calculus in Bentham's framework?
Answer
A method to evaluate pleasures and pains quantitatively.
8
Question
How does the intensity criterion influence the value of pleasure?
Answer
More intense pleasure increases its value.
9
Question
What does the duration criterion assess in the hedonic calculus?
Answer
How long the pleasure or pain lasts.
10
Question
What does certainty measure in the hedonic calculus?
Answer
Probability that the pleasure or pain will occur.
11
Question
What does propinquity (remoteness) assess in the hedonic calculus?
Answer
Temporal distance to the pleasure’s occurrence.
12
Question
What does fecundity evaluate in the hedonic calculus?
Answer
Likelihood of subsequent pleasures following the initial one.
13
Question
What does purity evaluate in the hedonic calculus?
Answer
Probability that pleasure is not followed by pain.
14
Question
What does extent measure in the hedonic calculus?
Answer
Number of persons affected by the pleasure.
15
Question
What is the term used for Bentham's method of evaluating pleasure and pain?
Answer
Hedonistic calculus (calculus of felicity)
16
Question
What does the criterion 'Intensity' measure in the hedonistic calculus?
Answer
The strength of the pleasure or pain experienced.
17
Question
What does the criterion 'Duration' assess in the hedonistic calculus?
Answer
How long the pleasure or pain lasts.
18
Question
In the hedonistic calculus, what does 'Certainty' refer to?
Answer
Probability that the pleasure or pain will occur.
19
Question
Define 'Propinquity' in the hedonic framework.
Answer
Temporal distance to when the pleasure will occur.
20
Question
What does 'Fecundity' indicate in the calculus?
Answer
Likelihood that pleasure will lead to more pleasures.
21
Question
Explain 'Purity' in the hedonic calculus.
Answer
Probability that pleasure is not followed by pain.
22
Question
What does 'Extent' measure in this framework?
Answer
Number of persons affected by the pleasure.
23
Question
Which action should Chloe choose according to the example, A or B, based on the total calculus value?
Answer
Action A (attend the bachelorette party)
24
Question
What is the core idea of utilitarianism as stated by the principle of utility?
Answer
Produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number
25
Question
What does the hedonic calculus assess?
Answer
Pleasures and pains to evaluate actions
26
Question
According to Mill, which is more important: the quality or the quantity of pleasures?
Answer
Quality over quantity
27
Question
Who are competent judges in Mill's theory?
Answer
People who have experienced a full range of pleasures
28
Question
What question does Mill raise about martyrdom and self-sacrifice?
Answer
Whether sacrificing personal happiness contributes to the greatest happiness
29
Question
What does Mill claim about rationality and sentience in determining pleasure?
Answer
Rationality (mental pleasures) is higher than mere sentience (bodily pleasures)
30
Question
What is the historical role of utilitarianism in political philosophy?
Answer
A framework to maximize happiness for the greatest number