Utilitarianism
(followers of utilitarianism are called utilitarians)
-stems from word "utility"
-utility means pleasure and the absence of pain.

2 parts to Utilitarianism:
1. theory of value (hedonism)
2. theory of action (consequentialism)

A hedonist is a person who thinks only pleasure or happiness is intrinsically valuable.
(popular definition of hedonism is egoism with an emphasis on physical pleasure)

*Intrinsic good = something that is good in itself.

*Instrumental/extrinsic good = something that is good for what it produces (as a means for something else)

Utilitarians equate the question "What is good in life?" to "What is pleasurable in life?"

Utilitarians believe that some pain is okay as long as it creates much pleasure.
*also believe that people can be mistaken about what is really pleasurable.

*Other POSSIBLE intrinsic values*
life
autonomy/freedom
-Brave New World- (classic trek episode with spores)
-hollowdeck world
with guy named Nozick who talks about an experience machine which would enable people to experience anything they wanted through the machine.