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Mark Achieved: 21 marks A* Essay
Essay Question:
How convincing is utilitarianism as an account of what makes an action morally right
(25 marks)
An essay on utilitarianism has been asked in the sample set paper, Yr 2019, Yr
2024.
Essay:
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory which argues that right and wrong actions are best
determined by focusing on the outcomes or consequences of those actions and
choices. It follows the principle of utility which states that a good action is one that is
based on the greatest happiness for the greatest number. In this essay, it will be
argued that utilitarianism is not a convincing account of what makes an action
morally right as it fails to prove that humans are driven by maximising pleasure and
minimising pain. (INTENT)
An essential pillar of utilitarianism. Bentham’s quantitative hedonistic
Utilitarianism argue that:
1. It states that actions are morally right if they maximise pleasure and minimise
pain, as these are the only intrinsic goods.
2. This theory prioritises the total net amount of pleasure produced over the quantity
of pleasure.
3. To calculate the moral worth of an action, it is necessary to add up all the pleasure
the act or choice brings and subtract all the pain.
4.Good acts followed the idea called maximisation of utility.
5. A utility calculus should be used to calculate the worth of an action. This should
take into account the seven criteria to consider when measuring pleasure: intensity,
duration, certainty, remoteness, fecundity, purity, and extent.
A key issue with Bentham’s utilitarianism is the problem with calculation.
There is an issue as to whether pleasures can be compared. Bentham did not
explain how we’re supposed to measure factors like intensity and remoteness, there
is no set criteria to use. It is very hard to compare different people's pleasure using
the utility calculus as it is often difficult to ascertain the pleasure one would gain from
an act or to ascertain its numerical value. There is also an issue as to whether we
should aim for average or total happiness, this is because both approaches have
their problems, and Bentham did not specify which to aim for. Additionally, Should
happiness be increased or maximised. A progressive utilitarian will say that an act
that increases happinesses, is a good act. Whereas, a strict utilitarian believes our
moral duty is to maximise happiness, both versions have their problem as there is no
united decision, this leads to an issue with calculation. These factors collectively
Mark Achieved: 21 marks A* Essay
Essay Question:
How convincing is utilitarianism as an account of what makes an action morally right
(25 marks)
An essay on utilitarianism has been asked in the sample set paper, Yr 2019, Yr
2024.
Essay:
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory which argues that right and wrong actions are best
determined by focusing on the outcomes or consequences of those actions and
choices. It follows the principle of utility which states that a good action is one that is
based on the greatest happiness for the greatest number. In this essay, it will be
argued that utilitarianism is not a convincing account of what makes an action
morally right as it fails to prove that humans are driven by maximising pleasure and
minimising pain. (INTENT)
An essential pillar of utilitarianism. Bentham’s quantitative hedonistic
Utilitarianism argue that:
1. It states that actions are morally right if they maximise pleasure and minimise
pain, as these are the only intrinsic goods.
2. This theory prioritises the total net amount of pleasure produced over the quantity
of pleasure.
3. To calculate the moral worth of an action, it is necessary to add up all the pleasure
the act or choice brings and subtract all the pain.
4.Good acts followed the idea called maximisation of utility.
5. A utility calculus should be used to calculate the worth of an action. This should
take into account the seven criteria to consider when measuring pleasure: intensity,
duration, certainty, remoteness, fecundity, purity, and extent.
A key issue with Bentham’s utilitarianism is the problem with calculation.
There is an issue as to whether pleasures can be compared. Bentham did not
explain how we’re supposed to measure factors like intensity and remoteness, there
is no set criteria to use. It is very hard to compare different people's pleasure using
the utility calculus as it is often difficult to ascertain the pleasure one would gain from
an act or to ascertain its numerical value. There is also an issue as to whether we
should aim for average or total happiness, this is because both approaches have
their problems, and Bentham did not specify which to aim for. Additionally, Should
happiness be increased or maximised. A progressive utilitarian will say that an act
that increases happinesses, is a good act. Whereas, a strict utilitarian believes our
moral duty is to maximise happiness, both versions have their problem as there is no
united decision, this leads to an issue with calculation. These factors collectively
