Intro to Consequentialism & Act Utilitarianism

Summary

This video script delves into normative ethical theories, focusing on consequentialism, also known as utilitarianism. It discusses the concept that the morality of an action is determined by its outcomes, with the aim to maximize happiness. The script introduces utilitarianism's principle of utility, advocating for actions that bring the greatest happiness to the greatest number. It contrasts this with other ethical theories like deontology and virtue ethics, highlighting the debate between these approaches. The speaker also raises critical questions about utilitarianism's alignment with our moral intuitions, suggesting potential conflicts and inviting further exploration in subsequent discussions.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The discussion shifts from the foundations of morality to normative ethical theories, focusing on how to make morally right decisions in everyday life.
• 📊 Consequentialism, also known as utilitarianism, is a popular ethical theory where the morality of an act is determined solely by its consequences.
• 🤔 The script introduces three main ethical theories: consequentialism, deontological ethics (conscient ethics), and virtue ethics, with consequentialism being the starting point.
• 👨‍🏫 The lecturer contrasts their personal virtue ethics stance with their wife's consequentialism, highlighting the practical implications of these theories in daily life.
• 📚 The early proponents of utilitarianism, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, are mentioned, with Bentham's influence on modern prison systems noted.
• 🌟 Utilitarianism is based on the principle of utility, which posits that one should choose the action that maximizes happiness in any given situation.
• 🔢 Hedonistic act utilitarianism, a type of utilitarianism, is discussed, emphasizing the importance of happiness and suffering in moral decision-making.
• 📝 Three principles of hedonistic act utilitarianism are outlined: actions are judged by their consequences, happiness is the key factor in assessing consequences, and everyone's happiness is equally important.
• 🤝 The theory suggests a moral obligation to improve the world, aligning with the intuitive belief that morality involves promoting well-being and reducing suffering.
• ⚖️ The script suggests that while consequentialism is intuitive, it may conflict with deeply held moral intuitions, such as the wrongness of rape or murder, which could lead to its rejection.

Q & A

What are the three main ethical theories discussed in the script?

The three main ethical theories discussed in the script are consequentialism, deontological ethics (also called conscient ethics), and virtue ethics.

What is consequentialism and how does it relate to utilitarianism?

Consequentialism is an ethical theory where the morality of an action is determined by its consequences. Utilitarianism is a popular version of consequentialism, focusing on maximizing happiness or minimizing suffering as the measure of good consequences.

Who are the early proponents of utilitarianism mentioned in the script?

The early proponents of utilitarianism mentioned in the script are Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.

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

The principle of utility requires that in all circumstances, a person chooses the available action that maximizes happiness. It is the core principle of utilitarianism.

What are the three principles of hedonistic act utilitarianism?

The three principles of hedonistic act utilitarianism are: 1) All actions are to be judged right or wrong solely by their consequences, 2) The amount of happiness created or unhappiness avoided is the only factor in assessing consequences, and 3) Every person's happiness counts exactly the same.

What is the difference between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism?

Act utilitarianism evaluates the morality of an action based on its specific consequences, while rule utilitarianism evaluates actions based on whether they follow rules that generally produce the best outcomes.

How does the script suggest evaluating moral theories?

The script suggests evaluating moral theories by comparing them against our firm moral intuitions and using a process called reflective equilibrium, which involves balancing our intuitions with the implications of the theory.

What is reflective equilibrium and how does it relate to moral theory evaluation?

Reflective equilibrium is a process where one compares their firmly held moral views with the implications of moral theories, adjusting their intuitions or rejecting theories that conflict with their strongly held moral beliefs.

What are some potential arguments against consequentialism or act utilitarianism as hinted in the script?

The script hints at potential arguments against consequentialism or act utilitarianism by suggesting that it may conflict with strongly held moral intuitions, such as the wrongness of rape, murder, or child molestation.

What is the significance of the term 'reductio ad absurdum' in the context of evaluating moral theories?

The term 'reductio ad absurdum' refers to a form of argument where one shows a theory to be false by demonstrating that it leads to an absurd or unacceptable conclusion, such as justifying actions that are widely considered morally wrong.

Why might someone be interested in arguments against utilitarianism despite finding it intuitive?

Someone might be interested in arguments against utilitarianism to critically examine its weaknesses and ensure that it aligns with all moral intuitions, even if it seems intuitively appealing.