Utilitarianism

English Empiricism

Hume held that what is commonly taken as “knowledge” is really a set of reasonable beliefs that are well founded because they are based on experience.

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)

Bentham still attends board meetings!

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)

It is the results that make something right or wrong. This ethical theory is the exact opposite of Kant’s categorical imperative.

The Calculus of Felicity

1. Intensity: How intense is the pleasure?

The Calculus of Felicity

1. Intensity: How intense is the pleasure?

2. Duration: How long does the pleasure last?

The Calculus of Felicity

1. Intensity: How intense is the pleasure?

2. Duration: How long does the pleasure last?

3. Certainty: How sure is the pleasure?

The Calculus of Felicity

1. Intensity: How intense is the pleasure?

2. Duration: How long does the pleasure last?

3. Certainty: How sure is the pleasure?

4. Proximity: How soon will the pleasure be experienced?

The Calculus of Felicity

1. Intensity: How intense is the pleasure?

2. Duration: How long does the pleasure last?

3. Certainty: How sure is the pleasure?

4. Proximity: How soon will the pleasure be experienced?

5. Fecundity: How many more pleasures will follow in the train of this pleasure?

The Calculus of Felicity

1. Intensity: How intense is the pleasure?2. Duration: How long does the pleasure last?

3. Certainty: How sure is the pleasure? 4. Proximity: How soon will the pleasure be experienced?

5. Fecundity: How many more pleasures will follow in the train of this pleasure?

6. Purity: How free from pain is this pleasure?

The Calculus of Felicity

1. Intensity: How intense is the pleasure? 2. Duration: How long does the pleasure last?

3. Certainty: How sure is the pleasure? 4. Proximity: How soon will the pleasure be experienced?

5. Fecundity: How many more pleasures will follow in the train of this pleasure?

6. Purity: How free from pain is this pleasure?

7. Extent: How many people will experience the pleasure?

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

Mill claimed that he was only changing the quantitative measure of utilitarianism to a qualitative measure.

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

Mill’s “principle of liberty” states “… the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.”

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

“The uncultivated cannot be competent judges of cultivation.”

Summary

Having some quantitative questions to ask makes sense, but we want also to find a way to bring qualitative values into our ethics as well.