Notes
Philosophy 201, Ethics
thursday November 1st

assignment:Rosenstand 211-248
Pojman 292-293, 297-317

Grade Estimate Scale
A-38-45
B-31-37
C-24-30
D-20-23
F-0-19

Next exam- There will be more
explanation on applying theories, and
answers
that will not be so similar.

Professor gave out an extra credit paper
that can improve your test score by
five points. A point will be deducted each
day it is late. Due
date=November 15th.

The Professor declared that the Final will
be changed to December 13th.

Guidelines for the final paper will be
passed out at the next class session.

Utilitarianism
Utility-Pleasure and the abscence of
pain/net pleasure/happiness
Utilitarians theory of value-hedonism-the
view that only pleasure is
intrinsically valuable.
Intrinsic value-valuable for their own
sake.e.g. happiness/
Extrisic/instrumental value- valuable only
as a means to something else.
e.g. money, Rosenstands
example=college degree leads to
prestige which leads
to making parents happy which leads to a
good job, etc...
Hedonism=ONLY pleasure is intrinsically
possible

Other intrinsic goods?
Education/Knowledge, freedom,
achievement, art, spirituality.
Nozicks experience machine (when
hooked up to the machine you can make
any
experience happen, in your mind that is.
Question. Would you do it?

Professor anounced the second exam
would be on the 15th of this month.
Study guides available next class,
(deontology/utilitarianism).

Theory of action-Consequentialism=the
rightness or wrongnessof an act
consists in its consequences or results,
not in some quality in the act
itself.
Maximize utility/happines
Mills says-"The greatest good for the
greatest number".
This question was posed, "Whats better?
Bring 10 units each of happiness to
10 people, or 1 unit each to 100 people?"
Bentham's hedonistic calculus-
calculating quality to quantity and
multiplication of happines/other stuff from
pleasure leading to other
pleasures.

Critisizms of utilitarianism
1.It's too dificult to calculate
consequences, no certainty.
Bentham and Mill say, "you can't expect
perfection, make an educated guess."
They also express using rule of
thumb,(common sense).
2.How long do I need to wait before I
know if my act was right or wrong?
Mill answers: "a reasonable period of
time, a short time for small things,
longer for big things".
3.Too demanding, if you don't massively
sacrifice interest, projects,
pleasure, you're immoral. Mill says it will
lead to a mental breakdown,
make sure to take time for your self.
4.Too permisive-condones torture,
murder, ect...if it maximizes happiness.