ENGR 482 - Utilitarian Ethics Exam Study Guide

ENGR 482 - Utilitarian Ethics Exam Study Guide Utilitarianism - Ans:-An act being morally right or wrong depends solely on the consequences (it brings about). The most optimal choice is morally right and the rest are morally wrong. Utilitarianism is a radical theory - Ans:-Utilitarian ethics often conflict with conventional morality and deeply rooted cultural norms. Three utilitarian thinkers - Ans:-Jeremy Bentham () John Stuart Mill () Henry Sidgwick () In utilitarian ethics... - Ans:-...similar particular acts can sometimes have radically different consequences. ...it can be difficult to know in advance which particular acts are right and which are wrong. Expected consequences vs actual consequences - Ans:-Elser's attempt to kill Hitler was good. Elser actually killing 70 innocent people was bad. (Elser hid a time bomb in which Hitler left his speech early) ©GRACEAMELIA 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024 Page 2/5 Act utilitarianism vs rule utilitarianism - Ans:-If the act conforms with a set of rules that would lead to optimal consequences, what would happen if an overwhelming majority in society were to accept those rules? Rule utilitarianism - Ans:-We ought to act according to a set of rules that would lead to optimal consequences, if they were to be accepted by an overwhelming majority of people in society. (ex. Don't lie) Act utilitarianism - Ans:-The right-making features of an act are the consequences of that particular act (ex. Lie to me now if that has optimal consequences.) Classic Hedonistic Act Utilitarianism - Ans:-Happiness is good for its own sake (Jeremy Bentham). An act is right if and only if no alternate act brings about more of what is good for its own sake. (the most good for the most people; ER example) Rosa believes if she crams tonight for her test tomorrow, then she will do well on the exam. This is an example of what? - Ans:-Expected consequences What is the essential determiner of moral value for utilitarians? - Ans:-sentience - the capacity for perception (can include animal world) Which of the following are important distinctions for contemporary utilitarians? - Ans:-particular acts vs. act types expected vs. actual consequences ©GRACEAMELIA 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024 Page 3/5 act vs. rule utilitarianism Most contemporary utilitarians think act types, rather than particular acts, should be evaluated morally. - Ans:-False - most contemporary utilitarians hold that only particular acts exhibit the moral properties subject to the utilitarian analysis Which of the following is true of utilitarianism? - Ans:-Whether an act is permissible depends on the consequences it brings about According to the utilitarian calculus, the consequences that an action poses to future generations can outweigh those facing individuals in the present time. - Ans:-True Preference utilitarianism - Ans:-One of the main alternatives to hedonistic utilitarianism (overall happiness) is preference utilitarianism Which is NOT true of preference utilitarianism? - Ans:-because the focus is on individual preferences, this type of utilitarianism is considered a relativist theory. Which of the following is an example of an act type? - Ans:-studying hard being kind to other people What does it mean to say that Bentham's hedonistic utilitarian theory is additive? - Ans:-The focus is on the total sum of good produced, not the manner in which that good is distribut