AQA A-Level Philosophy – Ethics Review Questions and Answers

An ethical theory which argues that the correct way of action is that derived from working out what brings happiness to the greatest number What is utilitarianism The belief that pleasure is the chief good What is hedonism Concerned with the amount quantitative concerned with the quality qualitative hedonistic and teleological What are the main two qualities of Bentham's Act Utilitarianism Bentham 'two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure' which 'govern us in all we do' Actions which bring about pleasure or the lack of pain According to act utilitarianism, which actions are good ones The principle of utility 'that principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever' an action is good if it produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number Greatest Happiness Principle he was a psychological hedonist Why did Bentham believe that you should seek pleasure over pain the results justify the means What does it mean that act utilitarianism is instrumental principle of utility According to Bentham, what is the only thing which offers an understanding of rights based on concrete observable verification hedonic calculus How did Bentham work out whether the calculus was morally good felicific/utility other names for the hedonic calculus duration/intensity/propinquity/extent/certainty/purity/fecundity What are the 7 hedons how long will the pleasure last Duration hedon