Outline The Theory Of Utilitarianism

Outline the theory of Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is the theory that an action is better if it produces the greatest good for the greatest number. The 18th and 19th century saw rise to the theory of Utilitarianism which can be traced back to Jeremy Bentham. Francis Hutcheson put forward the initial principle of Utilitarianism 'The greatest happiness of the greatest number'. Utilitarianism is a teleological theory where depending on the consequences of the action, that action will either be good or bad. Utilitarianism comes from the Greek word 'utility' meaning usefulness. So, Utilitarianism is a theory of usefulness and as a result of this theory an action is correct if it creates the greatest happiness for the greatest good. This theory
He thought it was not possible to quantify pleasure and did not agree with the hedonic calculus, he believed in higher and lower pleasures. Higher quality pleasures were better than lower quality pleasures. He believed that higher pleasures of the mind were better than lower pleasures of the body. Once the minimum requirements of the body had been fulfilled, the real moral business involves pursuits of higher goods. Mill quoted “It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates satisfied than a fool satisfied”. Mill is basically implying that it is better to have a higher pleasure than a cheap and quick pleasure. Humans have the power to get pleasures from the mind compared to animals who cannot think for
Preference Utilitarianism is a theory supported by Peter Singer. He believed that you should maximise the best interests of those affected rather than create the most pleasure and least pain. Everybody’s interest must be given equal consideration. Preference Utilitarianism concentrates on the ethical side of decisions and an action should not be committed even if it creates the greatest happiness for the greater good. Singer himself stated “ This other version of Utilitarianism judges actions, not by their tendency to maximise pleasure or minimise pain, but by the extent to which they afford the preference of any beings affected by the actions or its consequences.” In this theory, it is the satisfaction of an individual person’s desire which is most important. Sacrificing an individual like in Act Utilitarianism does not work in Preference Utilitarianism and is thought to be