Utilitarianism Doesn T Matter?
The primary objective of utilitarianism is to provide the greatest amount of happiness, or utility, for the most sentient beings possible (Boss 234). Additionally in utilitarianism, the morality of an action is determined only by its consequences. In other words, intentions are meaningless (Boss 234). Personally, I do not agree with the utilitarian notion that intentions don’t matter because no one can predict the consequences of their actions 100 percent of the time. For instance, most people would agree that giving a homeless person money is the morally right thing to do. While you intended for them to use that money for food or other basic necessities, you have no control over what they will actually purchase. If the homeless person used
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Jeremy Bentham attempted to solve this problem by devising Utilitarian Calculus. Utilitarian Calculus is utilized to determine whether an action is morally right or wrong by essentially weighing the pros and cons, if it brings more pleasure than pain it is morally right (Boss 241). The seven factors that calculate utility are the intensity, duration, certainty, propinquity, fecundity, purity, and extent of pleasure (Boss 242). Furthermore, Jeremy Bentham claimed there are no differences in the types of pleasure sentient beings can experience (Boss 246). In other words, the happiness a human experiences from reading an intriguing novel is no different than the pleasure a dog might feel about getting a bone. Finally, Bentham believed that superstition and tradition are the only things keeping people from being rational (Boss 246). Although John Stuart Mill was Jeremy Bentham’s student, the two had differing views on utility and pleasure. Mill did not concur with Bentham’s assertion that the type of pleasure does not matter, only the quantity. Instead Mill divided pleasure into two categories, higher and lower. Higher pleasures include activities such as games and poetry, while lower pleasures consist of primarily physical pleasures such as eating and sex. Consequently, Mill believed all sentient beings are not equal as humans are able to experience higher pleasures than animals (Boss 246). Mill also disagreed with Bentham’s view that pleasure is the only determinant of morality. Instead, Mill asserted that allowing people to be autonomous is the best way to achieve human happiness (Boss 247). Another concept Mill and Bentham had differing views on is justice as impartiality. While Bentham believed no one’s happiness counts more than the happiness of anyone else, Mill found the idea abhorrent as it could be used to sacrifice one person for the
Jeremy Bentham attempted to solve this problem by devising Utilitarian Calculus. Utilitarian Calculus is utilized to determine whether an action is morally right or wrong by essentially weighing the pros and cons, if it brings more pleasure than pain it is morally right (Boss 241). The seven factors that calculate utility are the intensity, duration, certainty, propinquity, fecundity, purity, and extent of pleasure (Boss 242). Furthermore, Jeremy Bentham claimed there are no differences in the types of pleasure sentient beings can experience (Boss 246). In other words, the happiness a human experiences from reading an intriguing novel is no different than the pleasure a dog might feel about getting a bone. Finally, Bentham believed that superstition and tradition are the only things keeping people from being rational (Boss 246). Although John Stuart Mill was Jeremy Bentham’s student, the two had differing views on utility and pleasure. Mill did not concur with Bentham’s assertion that the type of pleasure does not matter, only the quantity. Instead Mill divided pleasure into two categories, higher and lower. Higher pleasures include activities such as games and poetry, while lower pleasures consist of primarily physical pleasures such as eating and sex. Consequently, Mill believed all sentient beings are not equal as humans are able to experience higher pleasures than animals (Boss 246). Mill also disagreed with Bentham’s view that pleasure is the only determinant of morality. Instead, Mill asserted that allowing people to be autonomous is the best way to achieve human happiness (Boss 247). Another concept Mill and Bentham had differing views on is justice as impartiality. While Bentham believed no one’s happiness counts more than the happiness of anyone else, Mill found the idea abhorrent as it could be used to sacrifice one person for the