Rule Utilitarianism To understand later developments in Utilitarianism and the works of Mill and Singer

Key word recap write a definition for: Principle of utility Teleological ethics Deontological ethics Hedonism Hedonic calculus Now list the seven categories of the calculus

Homework Discuss your homework questions with a partner.

What do you think Mill meant by this?

Higher VS Lower pleasures He rejects the idea that all pleasures are the same Mill thought that quality of pleasure mattered. (Not just quantity) Intellectual, Cultural, Spiritual pleasures are better than bodily/physical ones these are higher pleasures Why did he think this? Idea of a competent judge – someone who had experienced both in full measure Competent judges would tell us to pursue intellectual pleasures as they are of better quality. Also – we would not give up our humanity to be a fully satisfied animal Lower pleasures are ones that may make the person happy but do nothing in terms of allowing the human to progress

Task Come up with 5 higher pleasures and five lower pleasures and be able to explain why you think it is higher or lower

Rule utilitarianism Mill was concerned by the way a minorities rights could be ignored on the basis of Bentham’s Utilitarianism. He did not desert the ‘Greatest Happiness Principle’ Rather, he argued that the ultimate greatest happiness of society at large was served by having a just society... ... Which means having individual rights. There is some debate over whether a concept of rights that rests on a utilitarian basis is enough Mill certainly thought it was. Mill also opened the way, in a manner Bentham had not for Rule Utilitarianism...

Rule utilitarianism Rule Utilitarianism: We should not try and calculate pleasure vs. pain for every action. Rather – we should develop a system of rules based upon the principle of utility By following these general rules, the overall greater good will result. He used Jesus so called Golden rule as a basis ‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you’ (Matthew 7:12) Further, helps with protection of individual rights... If everyone went around torturing everyone then greatest happiness would not be served, so rule = don’t torture These rules should be universalised and therefore should always be followed

Tasks Explore the contribution of Jeremy Bentham to moral decision making (8) Looking at the mark scheme, what do we need to include?