3.2.1 - Utilitarianism (3 + 5 markers)
Briefly explain the distinction between act and rule utilitarianism (5) - ANS-Act utilitarianism
highlights that an action is morally right if it brings about the most happiness in that particular
circumstance and therefore takes morality on a case by case basis. Rule utilitarianism, on the
other hand, considers rules which would generally bring about the most happiness and from
this, deduces which actions are morally right or not. The key distinction between act and rule
utilitarianism is the fact that act utilitarianism considers the morality of an action depending on
how much happiness there is as a result of that action in each scenario whereas rule
utilitarianism considers which actions would result in the most happiness in the most cases
regardless of whether another action would bring more happiness in a certain scenario. For
example, a rule utilitarian may argue for the rule "Do not lie" as in most cases this would bring
the most happiness however, if a person were to tell somebody that they look bad in a certain
outfit, telling the truth in this circumstance would not bring about happiness.
Briefly explain why utilitarianism is a form of ethical naturalism (5) - ANS-Ethical naturalism
refers to moral terms that are definable in facts about the natural world. Utilitarianism is a form
of ethical naturalism because happiness and pleasure are a very natural thing for individuals to
seek and so it makes sense for people to want to create the most happiness/pleasure for the
most people in most circumstances.
Explain how a rule utilitarian would make a moral decision (5) - ANS-A rule utilitarian would
consider which actions would generally bring about the most happiness regardless of the
situation that they are in and from that, they may follow that general rule. If they were a weak
rule utilitarian however, they may choose to go against a rule if there was an action which would
bring about more happiness in that specific situation than the action which is stated in the rule
would suggest doing. For example, if "do not tell lies" applies as a general rule but their friend
has just asked them if their outfit looks nice, they may choose to lie in this specific circumstance
as they may consider the rule as "do not lie unless your friend asks you if they look nice and you
don't want to hurt their feelings".
Explain how an act utilitarian would make a moral decision (5) - ANS-An act utilitarian would
make a moral decision by considering how much happiness would occur as a result of an
action, using the hedonic calculus. From this they would be able to determine which action
would create the most happiness and since happiness is the ultimate good, they would choose
to make this option rather than something that would produce less happiness. For example, the
individual may justify stealing from a supermarket to feed their family as the happiness that their
family would feel from not being hungry would be greater than the annoyance of the
supermarket manager.
Explain how Bentham's utility calculus approaches the maximisation of utility (5) -
ANS-Bentham's utility calculus approaches the maximisation of utility by considering seven
Briefly explain the distinction between act and rule utilitarianism (5) - ANS-Act utilitarianism
highlights that an action is morally right if it brings about the most happiness in that particular
circumstance and therefore takes morality on a case by case basis. Rule utilitarianism, on the
other hand, considers rules which would generally bring about the most happiness and from
this, deduces which actions are morally right or not. The key distinction between act and rule
utilitarianism is the fact that act utilitarianism considers the morality of an action depending on
how much happiness there is as a result of that action in each scenario whereas rule
utilitarianism considers which actions would result in the most happiness in the most cases
regardless of whether another action would bring more happiness in a certain scenario. For
example, a rule utilitarian may argue for the rule "Do not lie" as in most cases this would bring
the most happiness however, if a person were to tell somebody that they look bad in a certain
outfit, telling the truth in this circumstance would not bring about happiness.
Briefly explain why utilitarianism is a form of ethical naturalism (5) - ANS-Ethical naturalism
refers to moral terms that are definable in facts about the natural world. Utilitarianism is a form
of ethical naturalism because happiness and pleasure are a very natural thing for individuals to
seek and so it makes sense for people to want to create the most happiness/pleasure for the
most people in most circumstances.
Explain how a rule utilitarian would make a moral decision (5) - ANS-A rule utilitarian would
consider which actions would generally bring about the most happiness regardless of the
situation that they are in and from that, they may follow that general rule. If they were a weak
rule utilitarian however, they may choose to go against a rule if there was an action which would
bring about more happiness in that specific situation than the action which is stated in the rule
would suggest doing. For example, if "do not tell lies" applies as a general rule but their friend
has just asked them if their outfit looks nice, they may choose to lie in this specific circumstance
as they may consider the rule as "do not lie unless your friend asks you if they look nice and you
don't want to hurt their feelings".
Explain how an act utilitarian would make a moral decision (5) - ANS-An act utilitarian would
make a moral decision by considering how much happiness would occur as a result of an
action, using the hedonic calculus. From this they would be able to determine which action
would create the most happiness and since happiness is the ultimate good, they would choose
to make this option rather than something that would produce less happiness. For example, the
individual may justify stealing from a supermarket to feed their family as the happiness that their
family would feel from not being hungry would be greater than the annoyance of the
supermarket manager.
Explain how Bentham's utility calculus approaches the maximisation of utility (5) -
ANS-Bentham's utility calculus approaches the maximisation of utility by considering seven
