Question 1

Talk about:
-Absolute rule

Accepted Answer

a rule that may never permissibly be broken.

Question 2

Talk about:
-Act utilitarianism

Accepted Answer

the moral theory that says that an action is morally required just because it does more to improve overall well-being than any other action you could have done in the circumstances.

Question 3

Talk about:
-Decision procedure

Accepted Answer

a method for reliably guiding our decisions, so that when we use it well, we make decisions as we ought to.

Question 4

Talk about:
-Intrinsically good

Accepted Answer

The answer of Talk about:
-Intrinsically good...

Question 5

Talk about:
-Moral community

Accepted Answer

The answer of Talk about:
-Moral community...

Question 6

Talk about:
-Optimific

Accepted Answer

The answer of Talk about:
-Optimific...

Question 7

Talk about:
-Optimific social rule

Accepted Answer

The answer of Talk about:
-Optimific social rule...

Question 8

Talk about:
-Principle of utility

Accepted Answer

The answer of Talk about:
-Principle of utility...

Question 9

Talk about:
-Rule consequentialism

Accepted Answer

The answer of Talk about:
-Rule consequentialism...

Question 10

Talk about:
-Standard of rightness

Accepted Answer

The answer of Talk about:
-Standard of rightness...

Question 11

Talk about:
-Supererogation

Accepted Answer

The answer of Talk about:
-Supererogation...

Question 12

Talk about:
-Vicarious punishment

Accepted Answer

The answer of Talk about:
-Vicarious punishment...

Question 13

Most utilitarians regard the principle of utility as a
A) standard of rightness.
B) decision procedure.
C) Both a and b
D) Neither a nor b

Accepted Answer

Most utilitarians view the principle of utility primarily as a standard of rightness, guiding what actions are morally right or wrong based on their consequences.

Question 14

Explain what you take to be the strongest version of consequentialism. What does it count as intrinsically good and bad and how does it understand the balance of good over bad? Explain some advantages of your theory over other versions of consequentialism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain what you take to be the...

Question 15

What implications does utilitarianism have for our treatment of nonhuman animals? Do you find utilitarians' conclusions about animals plausible? If so, why? If not, how would you respond to their arguments?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What implications does utilitarianism have for our...

Question 16

Describe a case in which utilitarianism seems to require that someone behave unjustly. Do you think utilitarianism nonetheless gives the correct moral verdict in this case? Why or why not? How might a utilitarian reply to the objection that the theory wrongly licenses injustice?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe a case in which utilitarianism seems...

Question 17

Write an essay comparing and contrasting act utilitarianism with rule consequentialism. Define each theory and then explain why rule consequentialism is often thought to provide a solution to the problem of injustice that faces act utilitarianism. What objection do act utilitarians often level against rule consequentialism? Which theory do you think is preferable, and why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Write an essay comparing and contrasting act...

Question 18

The Greatest Happiness Principle holds that
A) actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.
B) happiness is the only thing that is valuable, the reverse of happiness is the only thing that is not valuable.
C) this is the best of all possible worlds because in it is the greatest possible happiness.
D) the greatest happiness comes from praising God and the greatest pain comes from rejecting God.

Accepted Answer

The Greatest Happiness Principle, also known as the principle of utility, is based on the idea that actions should be evaluated in terms of their ability to promote happiness and reduce suffering. According to this principle, actions that tend to produce happiness are right, while those that tend to produce the reverse of happiness (i.e. unhappiness) are wrong. This principle emphasizes the importance of promoting the well-being of individuals and society as a whole.

Question 19

According to Mill, which of the following are desirable ends?
A) Pleasure
B) Freedom from pain
C) Both a and b
D) Neither a nor b

Accepted Answer

Mill argues that the desirable end for human beings is pleasure and freedom from pain. He believes that individuals should pursue their own pleasure as long as it does not harm others. Therefore, both pleasure and freedom from pain are desirable ends according to Mill's philosophy.

Question 20

On Mill's view, whose happiness is relevant for determining right conduct?
A) Only the agent's own happiness
B) Only the agent's own happiness and the happiness of the agent's loved ones
C) Only the happiness of those who deserve to be happy
D) The happiness of all concerned

Accepted Answer

According to Mill's utilitarianism, the right conduct is determined by the greatest happiness principle which holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. Therefore, in determining the right conduct, the happiness of all those affected by the action must be taken into account.

Quiz 5: Consequentialism

Talk about: -Absolute rule

Talk about: -Act utilitarianism

Talk about: -Decision procedure

Talk about: -Intrinsically good

Talk about: -Moral community

Talk about: -Optimific

Talk about: -Optimific social rule

Talk about: -Principle of utility

Talk about: -Rule consequentialism

Talk about: -Standard of rightness

Talk about: -Supererogation

Talk about: -Vicarious punishment

Most utilitarians regard the principle of utility as a

Explain what you take to be the strongest version of consequentialism. What does it count as intrinsically good and bad and how does it understand the balance of good over bad? Explain some advantages of your theory over other versions of consequentialism.

What implications does utilitarianism have for our treatment of nonhuman animals? Do you find utilitarians' conclusions about animals plausible? If so, why? If not, how would you respond to their arguments?

Describe a case in which utilitarianism seems to require that someone behave unjustly. Do you think utilitarianism nonetheless gives the correct moral verdict in this case? Why or why not? How might a utilitarian reply to the objection that the theory wrongly licenses injustice?

The Greatest Happiness Principle holds that

According to Mill, which of the following are desirable ends?

On Mill's view, whose happiness is relevant for determining right conduct?