ACT UTILITARIANISM V RULE UTILITARIANISM
Aspect Act Utilitarianism (Direct Rule Utilitarianism (indirect utilitarianism) (JS Mill, we should always follow
Utilitarianism) (Bentham, we the rules that leads to the balance of good over evil). Focus is on rules
should always perform that related to the effects of types of actions (killing, stealing etc). RU aims to
leads to the greatest resolve conflicts over the notion of utility and determine the right action to
balance of good over evil, take. AU and RU differ on how to achieve the best outcomes: Pleasure v
based on serving the twin happiness Act v Rule based morality.
masters of pleasure and
pain). Deals with the effects
of individual acts and not to
classes of similar acts.
Core Claim An act is right if it produces Rule utilitarianism (following accepted laws that lead to the greatest overall
the greatest overall utility balance of good over evil, or pleasure over pain) and its use in promoting the
(greatest happiness of the common good. An action is right if it follows a rule which, if adopted, produces
greatest number) in that the greatest overall utility. Mill supported the Utility principle but rejected
specific situation. Focuses on Bentham’s HC.
the consequences of each
individual action (situation-
based). Key terms include
quantitative, hedonism,
hedonic calculus, and
immediate pleasure.
Decision Case-by-case calculation of Follow pre-established rules judged by their general utility. Exceptions rare.
procedure consequences for each act Focuses on achieving the common good. RU stresses the importance of moral
using the 7 aspects of the rules and as Brad Hooker identifies is a 3-part theory of moral decision-making
Hedonistic Calculus to (1) Is a specific action morally justifiable by conforming to a justified moral rule?
maximise pleasure and reduce (2) A moral rule is justified by its inclusion in our moral code/rules-based
pain. framework after weighing up the interests of everyone, equally (3) Will this
rule/rules create more utility/wellbeing than other possible rules or no rules at
all? Thus, RU is not an entirely rigid in its application of rules.
1
, ACT UTILITARIANISM V RULE UTILITARIANISM
Aspect Act Utilitarianism Rule Utilitarianism
Flexibility Highly flexible; adapts to More rigid; prioritises rule-following for stable outcomes.
particular circumstances.
Practicality Impractical in real time— More practical and time-saving; provides clear guidance. Maximizes utility by
difficult to calculate setting out rules to avoid bad individual judgements by limiting discretionary
consequences accurately, judgement to avoid harm to others, such as limiting the freedom of drivers
especially if complex factors (alcohol & speed limits).
are involved in making
decisions.
Predictability Low predictability: different High predictability; supports social trust and coordination.
& trust agents may reach different
conclusions.
Justice & Can justify rights violations if Better protection of rights because rules typically secure long-term utility.
rights the single act maximises utility.
Risk of abuse Greater—may permit harmful Lower in practice, but vulnerable to the “rule-collapse” objection (if breaking the
exceptions for short-term gain. rule is allowed whenever utility demands, it becomes act UA).
Moral Focus on maximizing outcome Encourages habit of following beneficial rules, less demanding daily. Focuses on
motivation for each act; demanding on “higher pleasures” to achieve eudaimonia (flourishing and self-fulfilment). The
agents. quality of outcome is the key to happiness. Higher (intellectual) pleasures akin to
Aristotle’s notion of Theoria (full use of a human ability to reason.
Typical Punishing an innocent person Punishing an innocent is generally forbidden because the rule “do not punish
example might be allowed if it innocents” preserves long-term utility.
outcome maximises immediate utility.
Aspect Act Utilitarianism Rule Utilitarianism
Strengths • Act utilitarianism is the most • Fair rules apply the same to everyone.
useful form because it can. • Interested in maximising happiness for society. (Bentham focussed on pleasure).
be applied to each individual • Rules can be applied universally to create universal human morality.
task of moral decision- making • Strength (intuitions): Rule UA better matches common moral intuitions about
and to achieve greatest net justice and rights; use the innocent-person punishment example to illustrate It
utility on a case-by-case basis seeks the common good of society as the starting point rather than the
as it does not rely on accepted individual. Instead, we follow the rule that leads to the greatest good over evil.
laws. • Rule utilitarianism is the most useful form of
utilitarianism since applying the hedonic calculus in every situation of moral
decision-making is too complex and time-consuming.
2
Aspect Act Utilitarianism (Direct Rule Utilitarianism (indirect utilitarianism) (JS Mill, we should always follow
Utilitarianism) (Bentham, we the rules that leads to the balance of good over evil). Focus is on rules
should always perform that related to the effects of types of actions (killing, stealing etc). RU aims to
leads to the greatest resolve conflicts over the notion of utility and determine the right action to
balance of good over evil, take. AU and RU differ on how to achieve the best outcomes: Pleasure v
based on serving the twin happiness Act v Rule based morality.
masters of pleasure and
pain). Deals with the effects
of individual acts and not to
classes of similar acts.
Core Claim An act is right if it produces Rule utilitarianism (following accepted laws that lead to the greatest overall
the greatest overall utility balance of good over evil, or pleasure over pain) and its use in promoting the
(greatest happiness of the common good. An action is right if it follows a rule which, if adopted, produces
greatest number) in that the greatest overall utility. Mill supported the Utility principle but rejected
specific situation. Focuses on Bentham’s HC.
the consequences of each
individual action (situation-
based). Key terms include
quantitative, hedonism,
hedonic calculus, and
immediate pleasure.
Decision Case-by-case calculation of Follow pre-established rules judged by their general utility. Exceptions rare.
procedure consequences for each act Focuses on achieving the common good. RU stresses the importance of moral
using the 7 aspects of the rules and as Brad Hooker identifies is a 3-part theory of moral decision-making
Hedonistic Calculus to (1) Is a specific action morally justifiable by conforming to a justified moral rule?
maximise pleasure and reduce (2) A moral rule is justified by its inclusion in our moral code/rules-based
pain. framework after weighing up the interests of everyone, equally (3) Will this
rule/rules create more utility/wellbeing than other possible rules or no rules at
all? Thus, RU is not an entirely rigid in its application of rules.
1
, ACT UTILITARIANISM V RULE UTILITARIANISM
Aspect Act Utilitarianism Rule Utilitarianism
Flexibility Highly flexible; adapts to More rigid; prioritises rule-following for stable outcomes.
particular circumstances.
Practicality Impractical in real time— More practical and time-saving; provides clear guidance. Maximizes utility by
difficult to calculate setting out rules to avoid bad individual judgements by limiting discretionary
consequences accurately, judgement to avoid harm to others, such as limiting the freedom of drivers
especially if complex factors (alcohol & speed limits).
are involved in making
decisions.
Predictability Low predictability: different High predictability; supports social trust and coordination.
& trust agents may reach different
conclusions.
Justice & Can justify rights violations if Better protection of rights because rules typically secure long-term utility.
rights the single act maximises utility.
Risk of abuse Greater—may permit harmful Lower in practice, but vulnerable to the “rule-collapse” objection (if breaking the
exceptions for short-term gain. rule is allowed whenever utility demands, it becomes act UA).
Moral Focus on maximizing outcome Encourages habit of following beneficial rules, less demanding daily. Focuses on
motivation for each act; demanding on “higher pleasures” to achieve eudaimonia (flourishing and self-fulfilment). The
agents. quality of outcome is the key to happiness. Higher (intellectual) pleasures akin to
Aristotle’s notion of Theoria (full use of a human ability to reason.
Typical Punishing an innocent person Punishing an innocent is generally forbidden because the rule “do not punish
example might be allowed if it innocents” preserves long-term utility.
outcome maximises immediate utility.
Aspect Act Utilitarianism Rule Utilitarianism
Strengths • Act utilitarianism is the most • Fair rules apply the same to everyone.
useful form because it can. • Interested in maximising happiness for society. (Bentham focussed on pleasure).
be applied to each individual • Rules can be applied universally to create universal human morality.
task of moral decision- making • Strength (intuitions): Rule UA better matches common moral intuitions about
and to achieve greatest net justice and rights; use the innocent-person punishment example to illustrate It
utility on a case-by-case basis seeks the common good of society as the starting point rather than the
as it does not rely on accepted individual. Instead, we follow the rule that leads to the greatest good over evil.
laws. • Rule utilitarianism is the most useful form of
utilitarianism since applying the hedonic calculus in every situation of moral
decision-making is too complex and time-consuming.
2
