A DEBATE OVER
UTILITARIANISM
In the elements of moral philosophy
By J. Rachels
Presented by – Nida Naqvi

UTILITARIAN APPROACH TO ETHICS
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Jeremy Bentham’s motto “the greatest good for the greatest number” 

A legal reformer who lived during the 18th and the 19th centuries

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Objective – provide publicly acceptable norm for determining what kind of laws England should enact. Example Theft analysis

John Stuart Mill (1806 – 1873)
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“ The Utilitarian doctrine is that happiness is desirable, and the only thing desirable, as an end; all other things being desirable as means to that end”

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A Debate Over Utilitarianism

WHAT IS UTILITARIANISM?
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Text definition– An ethical approach that emphasizes the consequences of an action and seeks the action or decision where the benefits most outweigh the costs.
Classical version – summarized by 3 propositions
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Actions to be judged by right or wrong solely by virtue of their consequences; nothing else matters

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In assessing consequences, the only thing that matters is the amount of happiness or unhappiness that is created, everything else is irrelevant.

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Each person’s happiness counts as the same.

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A Debate Over Utilitarianism

ETHICISTS OBJECTIONS TO
UTILITARIANISM
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Is Pleasure all that matters?
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What things are good? vs. What actions are right?

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Hedonism: pleasure is one ultimate good and pain is one ultimate evil. Are Consequences all that matter?
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Is it ok to treat someone unfairly for quick justice?

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Is it ok to violate rights if actions produce a favorable balance of happiness over unhappiness?

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Backward-looking reasons

Should we be equally concerned for everyone?
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Utilitarianism is too demanding

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Utilitarianism disrupts personal relationships

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A Debate Over Utilitarianism

DEFENSE OF UTILITARIANISM
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Denying That the Consequences would be Good – even if immoral 

Principle of Utility is a guide for choosing Rules, Not Acts
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Rule-Utilitarianism “Action is