CAS PH 251 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Noble Eightfold Path, Consequentialism, Practical Ethics

• School: Boston University
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: CAS PH 251
• Professor: Russell Powell

Document Summary

Utility is well being or pleasure in this case. Principle of utility = you must chose the course of action that will give overall happiness and stay away from over all pain for everyone and everybody involved. When we"re choosing between alternative courses of action, we should choose the one that promotes the most overall happiness and minimizes overall pain. Good = the right (collapses the distinction between charity and duty) Utilitarianism has to do with interests, and things or ppl that have interests; interests: preferences of pain or happiness. Helping one realize their interests will create happiness for them. Utilitarianism as a type of consequentialism" (where the relevant consequence is utility/ happiness) Sociopolitical institutions and moral rules are only instrumentally valuable insofar as they contribute to overall happiness/wellbeing. No amount of lower pleasures could amount or surpass the quantity of higher pleasures.