Rule Consequentialism/Utilitarianism

Summary

This script discusses the challenges faced by act utilitarianism and presents rule utilitarianism as an alternative that avoids some of these issues. It explains how rule utilitarianism focuses on establishing general rules that maximize happiness rather than evaluating each individual action. However, it also highlights the dilemma of whether there can be exceptions to these rules, which can lead back to act utilitarianism or to a rigid adherence to rules regardless of consequences. The discussion concludes with a critique of consequentialism, suggesting that while consequences are important, other factors like rights and justice should also be considered in ethical decision-making.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Act utilitarianism faces significant challenges, such as the potential for violating rights and the difficulty of weighing each action's consequences.
• 📚 Rule utilitarianism is presented as an alternative to avoid act utilitarianism's problems by focusing on rules that maximize happiness rather than individual actions.
• 🔍 The principle of utility, central to utilitarianism, is used by rule utilitarians to select general rules that promote happiness instead of evaluating each action.
• 👮‍♀️ The example of a sheriff and a stranger is used to illustrate how rule utilitarianism would approach moral dilemmas differently by adhering to rules rather than specific actions.
• 🚫 A key issue with rule utilitarianism is determining whether there can be exceptions to the rules, which leads to a potential collapse back into act utilitarianism or strict rule adherence.
• 🔄 If exceptions to rules are allowed whenever they increase overall happiness, rule utilitarianism essentially becomes act utilitarianism, reintroducing its problems.
• 🚳 If no exceptions are allowed, even when following the rules leads to worse outcomes, rule utilitarianism might lose its utilitarian character and become more about rule worship.
• 🧐 The script suggests that consequences matter in moral decision-making, but there might be a need for side constraints that protect rights and principles of justice.
• 🤝 The implications of consequentialism, such as the inability to maintain special relationships and its demanding nature, are highlighted as reasons to potentially reject it as a complete ethical theory.
• 📚 The lecture concludes with a teaser for upcoming discussions on other ethical theories, including deontology, virtue ethics, social contract, and feminist ethics.

Q & A

What is the main challenge to act utilitarianism discussed in the script?

The main challenge to act utilitarianism is that it requires each action to be weighed against its consequences, which can lead to problems such as violating people's rights and not being able to maintain special relationships.

How does rule utilitarianism differ from act utilitarianism?

Rule utilitarianism differs from act utilitarianism by focusing on following general rules that maximize happiness rather than evaluating the consequences of each individual action.

What is the principle of utility as mentioned in the script?

The principle of utility is the idea that actions should be chosen to maximize happiness and reduce suffering.

Why might rule utilitarianism be seen as a solution to the problems of act utilitarianism?

Rule utilitarianism is seen as a solution because it avoids the problems of act utilitarianism by not requiring each action to be evaluated individually but instead following general rules that are deemed to maximize happiness.

What is the dilemma posed by the possibility of exceptions to the rules in rule utilitarianism?

The dilemma is that if exceptions to the rules are allowed whenever they increase overall happiness, then rule utilitarianism collapses into act utilitarianism with all its associated problems. If exceptions are not allowed, even when following the rules leads to worse consequences, then it seems to abandon utilitarianism altogether.

What is the 'rule worship' critique of rule utilitarianism?

The 'rule worship' critique suggests that if one adheres strictly to rules without considering the consequences, then the approach is no longer utilitarian, as it does not prioritize maximizing happiness.

What alternative ethical theories are mentioned as being discussed later in the script?

The script mentions that later discussions will include kantian ethics (deontological ethics), virtue ethics, social contract theory, and feminist ethics.

What is the 'reductio' argument against consequentialism as mentioned in the script?

The 'reductio' argument against consequentialism is that if one rejects the implications of consequentialism, such as the inability to have special relationships or the violation of justice, then one should also reject the theory itself.

What is the speaker's personal stance on consequentialism as expressed in the script?

The speaker expresses skepticism towards consequentialism, acknowledging its serious problems despite recognizing that many smart people, including their wife, believe it to be a good ethical theory.

Why does the speaker believe there should be side constraints in ethical decision-making?

The speaker believes there should be side constraints because one cannot violate rights or principles of justice even if it might bring about greater happiness, suggesting that other factors besides consequences should matter in ethical decisions.