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The lecture on Utilitarianism and Consequentialist Ethics introduces ethics as the study of right and wrong, focusing on the principle that the morally right action maximizes overall happiness. Key concepts include hedonism, the Greatest Happiness Principle, and the distinction between Act and Rule Utilitarianism, with criticisms addressing justice, demandingness, and predictability. Modern applications of utilitarianism are discussed, including policy decisions and ethical considerations in AI, with a reading assignment and reflection journal due next week.

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10 views2 pages

004

The lecture on Utilitarianism and Consequentialist Ethics introduces ethics as the study of right and wrong, focusing on the principle that the morally right action maximizes overall happiness. Key concepts include hedonism, the Greatest Happiness Principle, and the distinction between Act and Rule Utilitarianism, with criticisms addressing justice, demandingness, and predictability. Modern applications of utilitarianism are discussed, including policy decisions and ethical considerations in AI, with a reading assignment and reflection journal due next week.

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kelly.hyperforge
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Class Notes

Course: PHIL 103 – Ethics and Moral Reasoning


Instructor: Prof. Dana R. Kim
Date: January 22, 2025
Lecture Title: Utilitarianism and Consequentialist Ethics
I. Introduction to Ethical Theories

Ethics = the study of right and wrong; how we ought to act

Two major categories:

Deontological (duty-based)

Consequentialist (outcome-based)

II. Utilitarianism

A consequentialist ethical theory

Principle: The morally right action is the one that produces the greatest
overall happiness

Originated with:

Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832): Quantitative happiness

John Stuart Mill (1806–1873): Qualitative happiness

III. Key Concepts in Utilitarianism

Hedonism: Happiness = pleasure and absence of pain

The Greatest Happiness Principle: Act in ways that maximize overall well-being

Utility: The net balance of pleasure over pain

IV. Act vs. Rule Utilitarianism

Act Utilitarianism (Bentham): Evaluate individual actions for utility

Rule Utilitarianism (Mill): Follow rules that generally maximize happiness

V. Criticisms of Utilitarianism

Justice concerns: Can justify immoral acts if they result in more happiness
(e.g., sacrificing one to save five)

Demandingness: Requires us to always act in the best possible way, which can be
unrealistic

Predictability: We can’t always know all consequences in advance

Responses: Rule-based constraints, modified utilitarianism

VI. Modern Applications

Policy decisions (e.g., cost-benefit analysis in healthcare)

Environmental ethics
AI and algorithmic fairness

Example discussed: Self-driving car ethics and trolley problem variations

Next Week:

Reading: Bernard Williams, “Utilitarianism and Integrity”

Reflection Journal #2 due Monday: Can utilitarianism respect individual rights?

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