Content Outline: Utilitarianism
Introduction
Definition of Utilitarianism
o Ethical theory based on the principle of utility or the "greatest happiness
principle"
o Focuses on outcomes or consequences to determine morality
Historical Background
o Origins of the concept (18th-19th century)
o Key philosophers:
Jeremy Bentham (Include Brief History)
John Stuart Mill (Include Brief History)
Types Based on the Concept of Happiness
o Hedonic Utilitarianism
o Eudaimonistic Utilitarianism
Types Based on the Definition of Happiness
Hedonistic Utilitarianism (Jeremy Bentham)
Definition of Good: Happiness is defined purely in terms of pleasure and the
absence of pain.
Origin: This view traces back to thinkers like Jeremy Bentham, who believed that
pleasure and pain are the only intrinsic values.
Core Idea: Actions are morally right if they increase the net amount of pleasure
or reduce pain for the greatest number of people.
Focus: Quantitative—it does not prioritize the quality of pleasure, but only the
amount (total pleasure vs total pain).
o Bentham’s hedonic calculus is used to measure this (See Modules PPT)
Eudaimonistic Utilitarianism (John Stuart Mill)
Definition of Good: Happiness is understood more broadly as flourishing, well-
being, or eudaimonia, a richer concept associated with a fulfilling and virtuous
life.
Origin: This view is closer to Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia and was
developed by thinkers like John Stuart Mill, who believed there are higher and
lower forms of happiness.
Core Idea: Actions are morally right if they promote a more qualitative sense of
human flourishing, including intellectual, moral, and emotional development.
Focus: Qualitative—Mill emphasized the quality of pleasures, arguing that
intellectual or moral pleasures (higher pleasures) are more valuable than mere
physical or sensory pleasures (lower pleasures).
Two Main Components
The concept of Utilitarianism can then be broken down into two main components:
1. Value Theory – a theory of what’s valuable
The only thing that’s valuable in its own right is happiness, or the absence
of suffering
ex. money (because it gets us happiness)
2. Theory of Right Action – a theory of right action given what’s valuable
The right action is what maximizes or produces the most of what’s
valuable;
If uncertain, it’s the action which produces the most expected value
Video Link: https://youtu.be/uvmz5E75ZIA (nasa module)
Note:
These elements of utilitarianism can be separated.
We can accept the utilitarian view of what’s valuable, without embracing its claim
about what that means for how we should act.
Ex. I will be absent for our major examination day, because I will attend my
best friend’s birthday.
We can accept the utilitarian claim that the right action is the one that makes
the most value, regardless of the claim that happiness and the absence of
suffering are all that’s valuable.
Ex. It’s a shame I can’t attend my best friend’s birthday. But I cannot skip a
day of an exam since it’s not a valid excuse to skip the test.
Strengths and Criticisms of Utilitarianism
Strengths of Utilitarianism
Simplicity: Straightforward in theory—seek the greatest happiness.
Universal Approach: Takes into account the happiness of all affected parties.
Pragmatic: Applicable in decision-making for policies, businesses, and personal
actions.
Adaptability: Can be applied flexibly to many ethical dilemmas.
Criticisms of Utilitarianism
Impracticality: Hard to predict and measure outcomes accurately.
Ignores Justice: May justify morally questionable actions (e.g., sacrificing one for
the greater good).
Too Demanding: Requires individuals to always act to maximize happiness.
Consequences Over Intentions: Focuses solely on outcomes, ignoring the
motives behind actions.
Conclusion
Utilitarianism is a useful ethical framework when dealing with situations where the
outcome matters most, such as public policy or large-scale decisions affecting
many people.
However, it has limitations, especially when it comes to individual rights, justice,
or predicting consequences.
For many people, the best approach is to use utilitarianism as a guiding principle,
but not to rely on it exclusively.
Balancing it with other ethical frameworks (such as deontology or virtue ethics)
can provide a more well-rounded decision-making process.
