Pp 224 - Lesson 4: Utilitarianism & Deontology

Front 1

Utilitarianism

Back 1

form of consequentialism; the view that what matters morally are the consequences or outcomes of our actions, thoughts, beliefs, desires, and so on

The sort of consequences with which utilitarianism is concerned are those that involve utility or welfare. Bentham, the founder of Utilitarianism was concerned most with the ability to feel pain and pleasure. If it had this capacity—in other words, if it were sentient—then by that fact it had moral standing, was a potential moral patient

Key feature of Bentham's Doctrine is that everything that is sentient has equal moral standing.

Front 2

Criticisms of Utilitarianism

Back 2

Denies obligation to keep promises
Is too demanding
Eliminates supererogation (see lesson 1)
Neglects concerns of justice

Front 3

Deontology

Back 3

Most important figure is Immanuel Kant

Based on the Categorical imperative which for Kant comes in 2 forms

1. must act on the basis of a maxim that is universalizable

2. we should treat people never as a means only but always as an end

Front 4

Autonomy

Back 4

‘auto’ (self) and ‘nomos’ (law)

‘giving the law to oneself.’

Kant thought that all rational beings are autonomous and that this fact about them gives them a certain dignity that we ought to respect in our dealings with them.

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Criticisms of Deontology

Back 5

Allows us to generate duties that are either immoral or trivial
Is too absolutist
Leaves to many beings outside the sphere of moral considerability