Utilitarianism is a kind of consequentialism

Utilitarianism evaluate the morality of actions on basis of their probable outcomes or consequence

Four Theses of Utilitarianism

• Consequentialism: The rightness of actions is determined solely by their consequences.

• Hedonism: Utility is the degree to which an act produces pleasure. Hedonism is the thesis that pleasure or happiness is the good that we seek and that we should seek.

• Maximalism: A right action produces the greatest good consequences and the least bad.

• Universalism: The consequences to be considered are those of everyone affected, and everyone equally.

Two Formulations of Utilitarian Theory

- Principle of Utility: The best action is that which produces the greatest happiness and/or reduces pain.

- Greatest Happiness : We ought to do that which produces the greatest happiness and least pain for the greatest number of people.

Two Types of Utilitarianism

• Act: An Action is right if and only if it produces the greatest balance of pleasure over pain for the greatest number. (Jeremy Bentham)

• Rule: An action is right if and only if it conforms to a set of rules the general acceptance of which would produce the greatest balance of pleasure over pain for the greatest number. (John Stuart Mill)

Application of Utilitarian Theory

• If you can use eighty soldiers as a decoy in war, and thereby attack an enemy force and kill several hundred enemy soldiers, that is a morally good choice even though the eighty might be lost.

• If lying or stealing will actually bring about more happiness and/or reduce pain, Act Utilitarianism says we should lie and steal in those cases.

Criticisms of Utilitarianism

If I am to bring the greatest happiness to the greatest number, not putting my own happiness above others, that may lead to a dilemma. I live in a neighborhood where 83% of my neighbors use drugs. I could make them most happy by helping supply them with cheap drugs, but I feel uncomfortable doing that. What should a utilitarian do?