Act Utilitarianism

What can Utilitarianism also be known as?

• The Theory of Awfulness

• The Theory of Rationality

• The Theory of Usefulness

• The Theory of Theology

Classical Utilitarianism (also known as Act Utilitarianism) was proposed by which philosopher?

• Jeremy Bentham

• John Stuart Mill

• David Hume

• St Thomas Aquinas

What is the ultimate aim according to Bentham?

• To only think about one's self

• To seek to have a list of rules so humanity knows how to behave

• To follow the commandments of God

• To seek pleasure and avoid pain

The ultimate aim of Utilitarianism is to pursue pleasure and avoid pain. Which of these answers explains why this is the aim according to Bentham?

• The desire for pleasure is universal

• Asceticism is the only way to achieve happiness

• The goodness and badness of an act cannot be determined

• All acts are intrinsically good or bad

The 'Principle of Utility' can be used to judge actions. What does this mean?

• Do what makes you the most happy (individual happiness comes first).

• An action is right if it promotes and maximises happiness and limits the amount of pain.

• Utilitarianism is an egoistic (selfish/self-centred) theory.

• When judging the goodness or badness of an act, we must only look at the amount of happiness it creates and ignore the amount of pain that will result.

Answer explanation

Utility meaning useful. It is the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

Bentham wanted to make ethical calculations as scientific as possible; what did he develop to achieve this?

• Relativistic Calculus

• Hedonic Calculus

• Altruistic Calculus

• Monarchistic Calculus

Answer explanation

The hedonic calculus or happiness calculator was intended to measure the quantity of the pleasure or pain produced in any given act

How many criteria did Bentham have in his hedonic calculus?

• 5

• 7

• 9

• 12

Which of the following is NOT one of the seven criteria of the hedonic calculus?

• Duration

• Richness

• Purity

• Hedone

• Intensity

Answer explanation

Use the acronym PRINCED to help you remember the criteria

'Act Utilitarianism' is a term that is applied retrospectively to Bentham's theory: what does this mean?

• Bentham coined (came up with) the phrase Act Utilitarianism himself.

• Act Utilitarianism is a phrase associated with Jeremy Bentham later, but was not created by him.

Utilitarians are described as hedonists. This mean they seek what?

• Pleasure

• Pain

• Love

• Community

Answer explanation

Hedonism is the pursuit of pleasure. Utilitarians believe this desire for happiness or pleasure is universal as everyone wants to avoid pain