| A | B |
|---|
| act utilitarianism | This version of utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of a single act; the consequences from the action should be such that the greatest good for the greatest number is maximized |
| rule utilitarianism | This version of utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of following a rule of action (i.e., a type of action done repeatedly), and not just a single action: the consequences for following the rule is that the greatest good for the greatest number is maximized |
| utilitarianism | The theory that one ought to maximize the greatest good (happiness) for the greatest number. |
| Mill's higher and lower pleasures | This relies on the notion that some of our characteristics as human beings are more valuable to our humanity than others. |
| the primary weakness of the utilitarian view | The majority can create great harm to the minority of people if it creates happiness for the majority. |
| The greatest good for the greatest number | This is the idea that happiness is maximized not just for one a small group but the largest group possible and not just for now but from the longest time possible; maximizes happiness for as many people as possible on the planet for as many centuries as possible |
| two significant problems for utilitarianism | 1) the difficulty in measuring pleasures and pain;2) the idea that the majority could have pleasure maximized at the expense of the minority |
| Mill's Harm Principle | "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." |
| moral code | a set of rules or principles that people use to determine whether an action is right or wrong |
| cultural relativism | the theory that different societies or cultures have different moral codes; this is a descriptive theory |
| ethical relativism | the theory that there is no universal moral code; whatever the majority of a particular society or culture considers is morally right is morally right for that culture; this is a normative theory |
| an advantage of ethical relativism | it fosters tolerance |
| two disadvantages of ethical relativism | 1) No one can protest against horrible actions if the majority of a society approves of it; and 2) there is no basis for improving ethical codes of a culture |
| The article "Trying Out One's New Sword" | makes an argument against moral isolationism (which goes along with ethical relativism) |
| moral isolationism | Maintains that we can never know a culture well enough to make any judgments/evaluations of it, either positively or negatively |
| Midgely's criticism of moral isolationism | If we cannot make judgments/assessments of other cultures, we also cannot make any of our own; then no moral progress is possible |
| John Stuart Mill | Elaborated on the theory of utilitarianism with his notion of higher and lower pleasures |
| In act utilitarianism, the consequences of the immediate future are taken into account but not long term consequences | false |
| In rule utilitarianism, the immediate consequences and long term consequences are taken into consideration | true |
