Utilitarianism
Discover the consequentialist ethics of Bentham and Mill, where morality is determined by maximizing happiness for the greatest number.
Utility: The Principle of Greatest Happiness
Understand the core concept of utility, Bentham's Hedonic Calculus, and Mill's distinction between higher and lower pleasures.
Bentham's Hedonic Calculus
Master the seven criteria (PRRICED) for measuring pleasure and pain to determine which actions maximize utility.
Act Utilitarianism: Individual Action Evaluation
Examine how act utilitarianism evaluates each action independently, its logical strengths, and serious criticisms including the "wrong answers" problem.
Rule Utilitarianism: Following Utility-Maximizing Rules
Learn how Mill's rule utilitarianism follows established moral rules that maximize overall utility, avoiding the "wrong answers" problem while maintaining trust and social stability.