ENGR 482 - Utilitarian Ethics Test
With Solution
Utilitarianism - ANSWER An act being morally right or wrong depends solely
on the consequences (it brings about). The most optimal choice is morally
right and the rest are morally wrong.
Utilitarianism is a radical theory - ANSWER Utilitarian ethics often conflict
with conventional morality and deeply rooted cultural norms.
Three utilitarian thinkers - ANSWER Jeremy Bentham (1748 - 1832)
John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873)
Henry Sidgwick (1838 - 1900)
In utilitarian ethics... - ANSWER ...similar particular acts can sometimes have
radically different consequences.
...it can be difficult to know in advance which particular acts are right and
which are wrong.
Expected consequences vs actual consequences - ANSWER Elser's attempt to
kill Hitler was good. Elser actually killing 70 innocent people was bad. (Elser
, hid a time bomb in which Hitler left his speech early)
Act utilitarianism vs rule utilitarianism - ANSWER If the act conforms with a
set of rules that would lead to optimal consequences, what would happen if
an overwhelming majority in society were to accept those rules?
Rule utilitarianism - ANSWER We ought to act according to a set of rules that
would lead to optimal consequences, if they were to be accepted by an
overwhelming majority of people in society. (ex. Don't lie)
Act utilitarianism - ANSWER The right-making features of an act are the
consequences of that particular act (ex. Lie to me now if that has optimal
consequences.)
Classic Hedonistic Act Utilitarianism - ANSWER Happiness is good for its own
sake (Jeremy Bentham). An act is right if and only if no alternate act brings
about more of what is good for its own sake. (the most good for the most
people; ER example)
Rosa believes if she crams tonight for her test tomorrow, then she will do
well on the exam. This is an example of what? - ANSWER Expected
consequences
With Solution
Utilitarianism - ANSWER An act being morally right or wrong depends solely
on the consequences (it brings about). The most optimal choice is morally
right and the rest are morally wrong.
Utilitarianism is a radical theory - ANSWER Utilitarian ethics often conflict
with conventional morality and deeply rooted cultural norms.
Three utilitarian thinkers - ANSWER Jeremy Bentham (1748 - 1832)
John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873)
Henry Sidgwick (1838 - 1900)
In utilitarian ethics... - ANSWER ...similar particular acts can sometimes have
radically different consequences.
...it can be difficult to know in advance which particular acts are right and
which are wrong.
Expected consequences vs actual consequences - ANSWER Elser's attempt to
kill Hitler was good. Elser actually killing 70 innocent people was bad. (Elser
, hid a time bomb in which Hitler left his speech early)
Act utilitarianism vs rule utilitarianism - ANSWER If the act conforms with a
set of rules that would lead to optimal consequences, what would happen if
an overwhelming majority in society were to accept those rules?
Rule utilitarianism - ANSWER We ought to act according to a set of rules that
would lead to optimal consequences, if they were to be accepted by an
overwhelming majority of people in society. (ex. Don't lie)
Act utilitarianism - ANSWER The right-making features of an act are the
consequences of that particular act (ex. Lie to me now if that has optimal
consequences.)
Classic Hedonistic Act Utilitarianism - ANSWER Happiness is good for its own
sake (Jeremy Bentham). An act is right if and only if no alternate act brings
about more of what is good for its own sake. (the most good for the most
people; ER example)
Rosa believes if she crams tonight for her test tomorrow, then she will do
well on the exam. This is an example of what? - ANSWER Expected
consequences
