Harvard University PHIL E-4 

1) Explain what is Utilitarianism and give example of situation

2) Explain The Principle of Utility from the perspectives of John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham and give example

3) Explain and give example of types of utilitarianism (Actual consequence utilitarians, and rule utilitanism)

4) Persuasiveness and Reasonableness of the Principle of Utility 

 

Answer:

1.

Utilitarianism is a consequentialist approach that is motivated by moral behaviour and it is the outcome of one's virtue. 

Example:

• A Woman is on the verge of death and has 4 children while joker is blinded. Now batman is a Utilitarianist and chooses to save the woman. Batman did this because this is the best action that could lead to a large amount of happiness.

2.

Explain The Principle of Utility from the perspectives of John Stuart Mill and Jeremy B6entham and give an example:

• The principle of utility means that we should produce more happiness over unhappiness, and it is the basis of bringing more positive outcomes into a decision. It lessens the risk of having a large number of weak and unfavorable decisions that are made.

Example:

• There are two railways, the first rail has 6 people while you are on the second. You are all tied up in the rail and the train is coming, you are next to the lever that can switch the direction of the train. The best action for this is to pull the lever so the train comes towards you instead of the 6, you sacrificed yourself to produce more happiness.

3.

Explain and give an example of types of utilitarianism (Actual consequence utilitarians, and rule utilitarianism)

• Actual consequence utilitarians - This is the type of utilitarianism that heavily relies on the consequence of that action, in other words, that if the consequences are good and positive then the act is right, but if it's negative and bad the act is purely wrong. This is one of the works of Jeremy Bentham wherein it's more pleasure-based and focuses on actions.

Example: 

• When a girl falls off the tree and the boy saves her, they quickly had an eye to eye. Meaning that by his actions there's a positive outcome and also a pleasure that came out.
• Rule utilitarianism - This type of Utilitarianism creates or generates a great amount of happiness over the other and this is made by J.S. Mill. 

Example: 

• The kids are having a party and a clown shows up, the kids immediately take their sits and watch the clown the show.

4.

Persuasiveness and Reasonableness of the Principle of Utility

• The Principle of utility persuasiveness is not a hard thing to be shared or spread out because this is to make more happiness instead of unhappiness. You can see this in comic books, cartoons, movies, tv-series, and many more making it an example of justice. Its reasonableness is good regarding it leads the action into a better outcome and it gives rise to positivity.