PHIL 313 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Act Utilitarianism, Consequentialism
12 Jan 2018
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Document Summary
Utilitarianism is a philosophical view on how we should evaluate actions. Consequentialism- consequences determine whether an action is good or bad. The best actions produce maximum utility, which is the most amount of good. Hedonism- only pleasure is inherently good- objects are instrumental in causing pleasure, but they are not good in their own right. Some contend that hedonism limits good to feelings, when it could include states such as being healthy. Others say that desire or preference are the basis of good. When making decisions for yourself, utility maximization is focused on your person. The well-being of groups is commonly attained by adding up the benefits and losses of each member of the group in response to an action. Any morality that involves being partial or biased is viewed as being a false morality. For example, saving a drowning man who turned out to be adolf hitler, resulting in the deaths of millions.
